Knit For Life is a nonprofit organization that is changing the lives of many cancer patients, such as mesothelioma warriors. While performing the art of knitting, it welcomes both patients and their caregivers to come together and express themselves.
There are always two sides to every story, especially when it comes to a patient and being a caregiver. The recovery process and treatment methods can take a toll both physically and emotionally on a mesothelioma patient and their caregiver.
Organizations like Knit For Life help individuals get through this difficult milestone in their lives. They help with the healing process and support those that are directly affected by cancer. It is important that both patients and their caregivers know that they are not alone.
How Knit For Life Started
The Knit For Life organization was created in 1997 by cancer survivor Tanya Parieaux. While she was undergoing treatment and in the process of recovery, she realized the coping and healing aspects that knitting had for her.
Tanya knew she wanted to share this feeling with others in the cancer community, but how?
By surprise, Tanya was given the opportunity to share the healing aspects of knitting when the University of Washington Medical Center asked her to start a class for their patients and caregivers. Today the legacy of Knit For Life occurs at many hospitals, including the Swedish Cancer Institute that is recognized for its mesothelioma program.
Knitting Therapy Helping Mesothelioma Warriors
Researchers believe that there are many benefits to patients and their caregivers that participate in therapeutic knitting. In fact, many individuals that participate in this form of therapy believe that it helps them to form a state of mindfulness meditation.
Knitting is also believed to help with:
- Stress
- Depression
- Blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
Supporting Knit for Life
There are many ways that you can show your support for Knit For Life. You can volunteer or you can even start a program right in the heart of your own community. The guidelines for volunteering and starting a program can be found on their website.
Through donations and volunteers, the nonprofit is able to keep its mission going. All tax-deductible donations help supply patients and their caregivers with complimentary knitting supplies needed for them to participate in the program.
For more details about organizations like Knit for Life that can help mesothelioma patients, please contact patient advocate Karen Ritter at 888-385-2024, ext. 102.
Sources & Author
Sources & Author
