Whether or not you can sew, you’re welcome to help at the group chemotherapy port pillow making session at Union United Church of Christ, Neffs, noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 7 after morning services and coffee hour. Drop-in for part or all of the time. There are multiple non-sewing steps you can do with no prior experience.

This will be the third such session at Union UCC this year. At the second session July 20, 16 church members, friends and neighbors worked together to prepare, sew and package dozens of chemo port pillows with donated supplies, including fabric scraps, Velcro, stuffing, thread, sandwich baggies and paper inserts explaining to recipients how to use the pillows.

Chemotherapy with infusion patients “Velcro” these small pillows around car seat belts and other shoulder straps to cushion and protect the port, typically implanted on the upper chest near their shoulder, used to deliver their chemotherapy drugs.

Last fall, a patient inspired individuals with sewing skills in the congregation to make good use of their scrap fabric by making these pillows. She explained how immediately helpful the pillow was on the ride home after she received it, among other items in a Bag of Hope tote, at her first chemotherapy with infusion treatment. Since then, members of the congregation asked how they could help if they didn’t have sewing skills. So, in addition to individuals making the pillows at home, group chemo port pillow sessions were organized. At the group sessions, volunteers cut and pin materials to prepare for the sewing. The sewn pieces are then passed to others to stuff and bag.

Since last fall, hundreds of chemo port pillows have been sewn by people at home or at the church and donated to local nonprofit, The Chemo Bag, to be included with other comfort and care items in the hundreds of Bag of Hope totes they deliver monthly for new patients at chemotherapy infusion centers throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. Unfortunately, there is a much ongoing need, just in our area.

There are multiple options for you to help with this effort. Whether or not you sew, you could help at a group session or donate any of the previously listed supplies. Or you can make the pillows on your own and drop them off in the church lobby’s collection display at Union UCC, 5550 Route 873, Neffs, where printed copies of directions and paper inserts are also available.