Cedar Rapids Weather
"Gems of Hope"
CEDAR RAPIDS - Jewels are meant to sparkle and shine but one local group thinks they should also comfort and empower.
If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, beads are an inspiration for everyone. "They're pretty and if you don't have any hair that's a little thing to make you feel more feminine," says 19 year old Blair Thorson. "This is like the first time I haven't had hair." Blaire is fighting lymphoma and the tiny trinkets are helping her through her treatment. She says, "I made 22 pairs when I was at home." Gems of Hope, a non-profit organization, makes jewelry for cancer patients. Volunteers create earrings for women and serenity circles for men, they can be worn on a necklace or key chain. The pieces come on cards that display an inspirational quote. "’Don't ask for an easier life, ask to be a stronger person.’ That's by Helen Keller, it's my favorite quote,” says Blaire. Cindy Sale, a Director of Gems of Hope, says, "Our mission is to bring hope to cancer patients and their families." When they're well, those patients keep that hope alive by doing what other volunteers did for them. Blaire says, "Somehow all the people who are a part of it have been touched in some way by cancer so its kinda like you're not the only one." Beauty and a special bond, they’re two things the beads give cancer patients at a time they need them the most. “Gems of Hope” caters to patients at Mercy Medical Center, Saint Luke’s Hospital, Hall Radiation Center, Iowa Blood and Cancer Center and Oncology Associates. You can purchase the jewelry at the Mercy Gift Shop, St. Luke’s Women’s Center, Enzler’s, Pizazz Salon, Basket Boutique, Broomin’ Sisters Flower Shop in Palo and Prairie Woods. The organization also holds beading workshops. Times and locations can be found at the “Gems of Hope” website. More Good Stuff |
What's On KCRG
Most Popular >> |
Conversation Guidelines
Be Kind
Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.
Share Knowledge
Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.
Stay focused
Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.
Report Trouble
Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.
read the full guidelines here »
Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.
Most Popular >>