On Wednesday, June 10, 2009, Chris Gunderson, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout candidate from Mount Laurel, N.J., donated 30 blankets to the Cooper Cancer Institute. These blankets will benefit cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Gunderson is a member of Boy Scout Troop 44 in Moorestown, N.J. He is working toward achieving Eagle Scout status – the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
Gunderson’s mother, Nancy Gunderson, is a breast cancer survivor and a patient of Generosa Grana, M.D., Director of the Cooper Cancer Institute.
As he was exploring options for a service project, Gunderson was easily drawn to something that would aid and comfort cancer patients. He knew that when his mom received chemotherapy she would often feel “cold” and sleepy. After her treatments she would come home and snuggle on the couch with a comfortable, fleece blanket. Knowing that the blankets at the chemotherapy infusion center were traditional thin cotton hospital blankets, Gunderson formed the idea of creating warm, cozy fleece blankets. Patients could use these fleece blankets during their treatments and then take them home.
Gunderson designed, purchased the materials and created the blankets with the help of his friends, family and troop members. He held fundraisers at his church and a local bowling alley to raise money to purchase the fabric. After making 30 blankets, Gunderson had some leftover material and decided to use it to make eyeglass cases – also donating them to the Cooper Cancer Institute patients.
He presented his donation to Dr. Generosa Grana at Cooper’s Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology office in Stratford, N.J., with his mom by his side.
About the Cooper Cancer Institute
Within the Cooper Cancer Institute (www.coopercancer.org) teams of doctors – medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons – work together to provide cancer patients with the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies available, access to groundbreaking clinical trials and dynamic patient-physician relationships. A full complement of support services including nutrition counseling, genetic testing and counseling, social work services, complementary medicine therapies and behavioral health support provide complete care for patients.
The Cooper Cancer Institute is an affiliate of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Cooper Cancer Institute is the only accredited American College of Surgeons Teaching Hospital Cancer Program in South Jersey.