Scarves Jared Levy's mother, Deb, knitted while undergoing hours of chemotherapy to fight breast cancer. In March of 2008, Deb lost her fight; she was only 55-years-old. To keep her memory alive, Jared created a non-profit organization called Chemo Clothes.
"I thought you know why don't we have a charitable outfit for all this great stuff that people can make."
Chemo Clothes gathers donated items made by cancer patients or their loved ones and sells them at area craft fairs. The money is then given to organizations, such as Susan G. Komen, for cancer research.
"One of the biggest questions that a family going through chemotherapy is 'what can I do'? They feel helpless and this gives them a chance to be able to you know fight back to their cause."
22-year-old Nicole Difilipo is a cancer survivor who made bracelets during her chemotherapy treatments. She says you can feel isolated by the disease and that Chemo Clothes is a way to feel part of something important.
"When you're going through treatment you feel so out of touch with the outside world," she said. "So I think to be able to give back to the community is pretty powerful."
Chemo Clothes will accept any hand-made items from clothing to pottery to jewelry. You can find out how to donate by clicking here.
If you'd like to get involved Jared is hosting his first major fundraiser for Chemo Clothes, this weekend. It's scheduled for Saturday February 6th from one until 4pm at Laurel Lanes in Maple Shades, NJ.
