The Interact clubs in our district elected to support cancer patients going through chemotherapy as their district-wide service project this year, and they need your help! We are making care packages for patients of the Cleveland Clinic, and will be dropping off all care packages at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights. We would love to make this project even more successful with your support.
We are asking Rotarians to consider putting together additional care packages, either as individuals or as a Rotary Club. Alternatively, Rotary clubs can donate money to their sponsored Interact clubs and the Interact students can put together the care packages themselves. Please coordinate with your club presidents and fellow members to see if your club can help make a difference in a chemo patient's life!
Interact students have put together a list of items to include in each care package based on consultations with staff at the hospital as well as cancer patients currently going through chemotherapy treatments. We anticipate that the cost of each care package will be between $80-$100.
Some of the items we suggest including in the care packages are:
- Healing lotions for dry skin (unscented)
- Puzzle books to pass the time during treatments along with pens and pencils
- Hard candies to help bring moisture to the mouth (especially ginger flavored to help with nausea)
- Mouth rinse to help with dry mouth (specifically suggested by a chemo patient)
- Electrolyte drink powder packages
- Fuzzy socks and warm blankets to help keep patients warm
- Wooden utensils and a plastic reusable water bottle (metal can leave a bad taste in the mouth of chemo patients)
Here is a full list of suggested items, including a basket to package everything, with links to products on Amazon: Chemotherapy Care Package Items
Some clubs may want to consider creating an Amazon Wishlist to share with club members to diffuse the cost of these items (most individual items are $10 and under). We hope to create as many care packages as possible with your help!
All care packages should be completed by the annual District Conference of Clubs on April 25th-26th. Please send any care packages to the conference with your club members by the Youth Luncheon on Saturday, April 26th.
Please consider participating in our Interact Service Project. We hope to see everyone at the youth luncheon at the District Conference on April 26th!
Thank you, and don't hesitate to reach out to me at Chelsea.Talty@westg.org with any questions. Chelsea Talty
District 6630 Interact Chair