Wrapping Cancer Patients with Love
By Rebecca Calappi
When Karen Mac Donald’s mom was nearing the end of her life, she was lying in a hospital bed on Christmas Eve, refusing visitors. Between non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and pulmonary fibrosis, her illnesses had taken a toll on how she felt she looked.
That night, Karen went home and made her mother a wrap, being sure to include flowers, which her mother loved. “It made such a difference,” recalled Mac Donald. “I told myself if I ever decided to change careers, that’s what I wanted to do – make a line of accessories for women who are going through treatments and convalescing.”
The idea for Wrapped in Love was born three years ago. Now, Mac Donald provides beautiful shoulder wraps, hats, socks and other accessories to help give women back a sense of beauty and stylishness. “And most importantly, dignity,” said Mac Donald.
“I try to use cancer survivors or patients in the marketing materials,” continued Mac Donald. “I have focus groups at Gilda’s Club with patients to make sure it’s something practical and pretty. I also work closely with the nurses, so they have easy access to get to the chemo port. And I try to incorporate flowers because my mom loved flowers.”
Lindsey Burcar, 34, of Macomb, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29. Because of her experience, she works at Beaumont’s Sharing and Caring program, running support groups and programs for cancer survivors and those in treatment.
“I met Karen at Beaumont and she’s been wonderful providing bags and wraps for our groups and our different events. The ladies really love it,” said Burcar. “I recommend them to my patients. Wrapped in Love has a nice variety. A lot of times, if they have those down-in-the-dumps feelings, I can give them something that Karen donated and it can help them feel a little better.”
With a two-time brain tumor diagnosis, Katie Batchelder, 57, knows how sensitive the scalp can be post-chemo and surgery. “Wrapped in Love has really nice color choices and fabrics. I’m a seamstress, so I know fabrics. Everything is very comfortable and has nice style. I found that even when I wanted to start wearing a wig, I had a big incision and it hurts, so the caps worked great,” she explained.
Most of the items Wrapped in Love carries are made in Michigan. Those that aren’t are still made in the United States. “I also give back quarterly—Gilda’s Club, The Ovarian Cancer Foundation, and more. I try to provide product to the hospitals to some of their patients as well.”
Long term, Mac Donald hopes to create different fashion accessories for children in cancer treatment as well. “I want to make something different so they feel special and beautiful.”
Visit wrappedinlove.com to see a wide selection of wraps, hats, socks and more.
