MOUNT FOREST — A local initiative is using quilts to bring comfort to childhood cancer patients across Guelph, Wellington County and the rest of Ontario.
Created by Mount Forest Lion's president Crystal Steffler, the Childhood Cancer Quilt Initiative collects donations of brand-new quilts, blankets and stuffed animals to send to various children's cancer wards in Ontario.
Calling the issue one that has always been "near and dear to her heart," Steffler said she created the initiative because she's lost two young cousins to childhood cancer and wanted to bring comfort to those experiencing similar journeys and let them know they're not alone.
"It just makes my heart smile knowing that I'm making a difference," said Steffler. "But it's not just me. It's taken a lot of work from a lot of people and I certainly couldn't do this on my own."
Between 10-12 Lion's clubs and several community members, the group has collected just over 550 blankets since 2023.
Many of those blankets have since found homes in local spots like Guelph General Hospital, Grand River Hospital, Ronald McDonald House and at almost every childhood cancer camp in Ontario.
Next month, Steffler said blankets could soon be sent as far away as Manitoba and Alberta which she called "super exciting for a small Ontario town."
"I never once imagined it would get this big," said Steffler. "But I must admit, I'm happy it has."
Last summer, Steffler and her partner attended three childhood cancer camps across Ontario and said it was amazing getting to see the blanket's impact on the kids.
"We've had tied blankets, we've had quilts, we've had pretty much anything and everything donated," said Steffler. "The support is phenomenal and the more we can get the word out, the better because I think (childhood cancer) is one of those things that's not on the top of everyone's mind."
A key memory for Steffler was when a little girl from Rockwood, also named Crystal, hugged her tight and thanked her for her new purple blanket with unicorns.
Other times, Steffler will receive messages from parents who say their kids will not let go of their blankets because they feel it's their "little piece of security."
"It's so hard to sit there and not cry," said Steffler. "Just to see the look on these kids' faces means a lot."
Looking to the future, Steffler said the hope is to keep growing while broadening the initiative's focus to include children with life-altering illnesses beyond cancer.
"It's been quite a journey thus far and this is certainly something I'm not going to give up on or let go by the wayside," said Steffler. "If I can keep it going, I fully intend to keep it going."
Anyone interested in participating in the initiative can contact Steffler at [email protected] or on Facebook via the Mount Forest Lion's Club or Steffler's page. The group is also looking for sponsors and volunteers for the second annual Dance for a Cure in September, which donates all proceeds to childhood cancer.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
