J’S BLESSING BAGS

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*Each green word is linked to a photo for your viewing pleasure =)

Quick back story-
When Jillian was first diagnosed, her stay was 28 days long. We were over an hour away from home, and had been told to “pack an overnight bag for more tests”, we didn’t have hardly anything… Things we take for-granted in our normal life at home, like, chap stick, DECENT shampoo, a normal toothbrush, Kleenex that doesn’t feel like sand paper… were, LEFT AT HOME!! Being an hour away from home doesn’t seem like much until you have to leave your child in a hospital, while being bombarded with information – grasping at pieces – and just trying to make it to the next day (all while still holding out for that small ounce of hope that you’re dreaming and you’ll wake up in your bed, able to roll over to get your chap stick, and blow your nose without feeling like your skin is gonna peel off, and yet, it doesn’t happen). Even going to the gift shop or closest store is hard. And if the child is under 12, and there is only one adult, they aren’t allowed to leave the floor. Faith and joy in the journey is important to hold on to during life trials.
THAT is why I started the “Blessing Bags”. These are made, and meant for the newly diagnosed Cancer (and other pediatric patients with longer stays) at Brenners Children’s Hospital, In Winston Salem NC. Each set of bags has been different. I work as hard and frugal as I can to make as many bags as I can through out the year. My goal for 2020 is 52 (I have 5 made now) They cost $15-$20 each to make ( that price depends on the actual bag {these bags are a little more expensive than others}, and not the contents that usually costs about $15) I have decided {if I’m able} to add in this year a “change/coin purse” with $4/5 in quarters for the vending machine {they took out the snack room on the floor, making it harder to just get a small snack when needed} so this years bags will be $20-$25 to make.
{side note, I also try to stock up the nurses station with extra stuff, for the “not newly diagnosed” who may have forgot something, and “bigger priced” items, like phone chargers, razers and shaving cream, also, chap stick…(LOL, yes, I HAVE to HAVE chap stick at all times!!) portable chargers, tweezers(after a few weeks, those eyebrows start to look homely LOL) and many other items! } Also, items are much needed for the teens and babies (more baby) and many un-thought of items just to help make a hospital stay just a little easier for all ages.
This year we have added on some more stuff specifically for the kids who are “stuck” inpatient. Anyone who knows or has followed Jillian though this, knows how much she DESPISES being “stuck” at “that place” now. ( It was fun to start with, lol, always had friends visiting, arts and crafts, music, therapy dog visit. A new pillow case at every stay) but the fun wore off during it.(can you blame her?) Little things would give her just a little bit of cheer while being “stuck” but the more time that went by during this, the harder it was to find that little cheer (Apple juice in Apple sauce containers no longer made her day). So now, we are hoping to bring that little cheer to other kids through the year (and on special occasions/holidays) when they are “stuck”. Sometimes it’s just “the little things”, and knowing someone is thinking of you.
We were able to supply some Christmas to 9 children “stuck” the day after Christmas 2019. I quickly learned Christmas night around 10pm, shopping at Walgreens, that I can’t do this alone [financially] *SO THANKFUL Walgreens was open tho!!!
There is always a need for the blessing bags and cheer gifts. If you would like to donate items in person please message here to contact me. Click here to purchase from an Amazon list. Or if you would like to donate on Paypal click here {please “add a note” when sending specifying that your donation is for blessing bags, also if you have a specific item(s) you want it to go to please list that, or if you want it to go to the cheer gifts list that instead}

Be sure to Follow J’s Blessing Bags on facebook to see the update and Jillian delivering the bags (and more bags) and items to the 9th floor.