CLEARWATER, Fla. — Darlene Garland has been sewing, stuffing, and styling at Morton Plant Hospital's Sewing Room for more than three decades.
- Darlene Garland in charge of hospital sewing room for three decades
- She is battling cancer for 11th time since 2009
- Morton Plant Sewing Room Volunteer Resources: 727-734-6262
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"We've been doing the bears for 32 years, and chemo hats we’ve been doing for about 13 years," the 77-year-old seamstress says.
Their handmade teddy bears go to the emergency room. Baby hats, bibs, and booties go to labor and delivery. Hats, scarves, blankets, and pillows go to cancer patients.
"I enjoy doing it for other people," Garland said.
But after years of sewing for other patients, Garland found herself needing some of the items herself.
"(I) went through six months of chemotherapy," said Garland of the first time she battled ovarian cancer.
"I've used a lot of those scarves," she said.
Diagnosed for the first time in 2009, Garland is now battling cancer an 11th time.
Morton Plant Hospital Sewing Room workers have been sewing bears and chemo hats for patients for 32 years and 13 years, respectively. (Melissa Eichman/Spectrum Bay News 9)
The sewing room has become a treatment of sorts.
Lucie Mondani has been a volunteer next to Garland more than 20 years.
"Darlene has become one of my best friends, which makes it more fun," Mondani said.
Garland stays positive and focused, for her and for the patients.
"It does help me," Garland said. "I like to be positive. You have to be positive with this stuff."
They sew 200 to 300 bears a month, she says. That's a lot, considering the sewing room started with more than 80 volunteers but now is down to seven.
"But we've been keeping up with everything," Garland said.
The group is keeping up with everything while keeping Garland's spirits up, all while making handmade pieces made from the heart.
"It just makes me feel good," Garland said. "It really does make me feel good and everything, knowing that I can help other people that’s going through what I’m going through."
