Central Oregon Girl Scouts help ‘ConKerr Cancer’

ConKerr Cancer is a nationwide nonprofit organization that strives to sew up some good feelings for kids in the NICU or pediatric ward.

The Central Oregon chapter of ConKerr Cancer was doing its part Thursday, along with 28 local Girl Scouts, to help sick kids here on the High Desert.

“I hope that they bring joy, and bring a smile to their face,” said Sydney Scott of Troop 50001.

Over the last two years, ConKerr Cancer has delivered 300 pillowcases to St. Charles Bend. With the help of the Girls Scouts, they were able to make an additional 70 Thursday afternoon.

“It’s so wonderful to have their partnership, it really is,” said Terri Lewis, leader of the Central Oregon ConKerr Cancer chapter. “It’s cool to see kids helping other kids.”

Becky Knight of Troop 50139 said her dad’s experience working at a hospital motivated her to help out.

“You kind of think about who’s going to get the pillowcase,” Knight said. “My dad works at a hospital, and he’s dealing with people that — it’s sad, so I think this will make it happier.”

This is the purpose of ConKerr Cancer: Generating happiness during a tough time.

“It makes me feel like I get to make a difference in my community more than I normally would,” Scott said.

The Girl Scouts also wrote feel-good notes to go with the pillowcases.

“I did on the front a little design, and on the inside I wrote, ‘I hope this pillowcase brightens your day,'” Knight said.

It’s all to help the patients’ lives and raise awareness about childhood cancer.

“I love that something so simple as a pillowcase can mean so much to a child,” Lewis said.

The pillowcases they made Thursday are scheduled to be delivered to St. Charles Bend within the next couple of weeks. ConKerr Cancer is approaching the milestone of one million pillowcases made.

Learn more here: http://www.conkerrcancer.org/volunteer/sew-pillowcases