CuzWeCare, Incorporated

The following letters were added to the website on August 14, 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Fay and John,
When I was in the Hospital of St Raphael's, (name withheld) came to visit me. she brought me a beautiful purple lap afghan and a neck pillow made by volunteers in your CuzWeCare group. ... It's such a warm feeling to know others care enough to knit and sew for those who are facing a traumatic situation.

Thank you,
C.O.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr and Mrs Von Deck,
The work you are doing is wonderful. Your time and effort I know is appreciated by so many people. Thank you for the soft pillow - I gave it to my daughter who has neck and shoulder pain. Keep up the good work,

K.G.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I am in receipt of one of your pillows and am so appreciative of it. It is so comfortable and fits just right under my seatbelt shoulder strap. I am undergoing radiation to my neck. This pillow makes driving more comfortable for me.

Sincerely,
E.K.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you so very much for your kindness. Saw your long neck pillows at Backus Hospital's Cancer Center. What a nice idea!

S.B.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Letters from 2007 and Earlier
----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear CuzWeCare,

Thank you for the lovely pink blanket and yellow neck pillow that was sent to me from "CuzWeCare". I used them before and after my cancer eye surgery. It gave me great comfort knowing people were thinking of me and keeping me in their prayers and I felt cradled in God's love.

Sincerely,
Judith L.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear friends at CuzWeCare,

I wish to thank all of you for the beautiful hand-made neck pillow I was given today at my chemotherapy treatment. I have been undergoing treatments for about 2 months, and your soft pillow brought comfort today, and will tonight when I go to sleep, and for many more months, I am sure.

Thank you to those who worked so hard to form CuzWeCare and to all the volunteeers who make it possible to continue. I saw many patients using your gifts today! You are making a tremendous difference, bringing comfort and smiles to many who so need it.

Thank you again for your caring spirit and good wishes. Please continue your work.

Sincerely,
A grateful patient
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Thank you so much for your latest delivery of pillows.

   After saying goodbye to you, I walked into the infusion center to restock my basket and was besieged by the nurses and patients for what was in my arms. I had to come back to my office to get more just to make everyone happy! As it happened, not one of the patients there at the time had ever gotten one (of your pillows). Needless to say, they were very pleased.

   Keep up the good work and the faith,
     Laura
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Fay,
Thank you for coming to our troop meeting. You stuffed us with your love for others. We learned to share care with others in need.

Thank You,
Sara, Jamie, Danielle, Sarah, Molly, Joanna, Emily, Lindsey, Alexis, Elisabeth, Stephanie, Gillian and Lynn
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dearest Fay and Wonderful Sewers,

We thank you for the pillows. Our patients all respond with a loud "Ahhhh" after getting their pillows placed behind their pillows placed behind their neck.

Sincerely,
Deb and Staff on Hem/Onc
Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center

PS Love the seat belt pillows, too
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Fay,

Within two weeks of my son telling your daughter about my return of breast cancer, there was one of your CuzWeCare boxes at my door.

Thank you so much for the fleece pillowcase, neck pillow (that I use ALL the time), knit caps and the lap afghan (on which I have received many compliments during my first chemo treatment last week).

Thanks again for your lovely work.
Rita
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,

Thank you for your donation of comfort pillows.

Your generosity and thoughtfulness will help make a difference in the lives of the children we serve and further our mission in providing quality orthopaedic care to children at no cost. By working together we can truly build a better tomorrow for kids.

With deepest gratitude,
The Board of Governors and Staff
The Shriners Hospital for Children
Springfield, Massachusetts

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
On behalf of the Avon Police Department, please accept my sincere thanks for the donated polar fleece blankets.

The blankets will be distributed to our Patrol Sergeants to give to those who may be in need in the Town of Avon.

Assuring you of our desire to cooperate in all matters of mutual interest, I am,

Very truly yours,
Mark Rinaldo
Acting Chief of Police

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hugs all around. Thank you for your donation to Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

Barbara G.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi,
Sorry I took so long to respond but this has beeen the sickest I have ever been - many ups and downs - hope 'up' is coming soon and will be here to stay.

Must tell you a great big warm, loving, caring, grateful, etc thank you for the best gift you could send for a person as sick as I have been. ... Gift is wonderful, useful and giving me much comfort, joy, memory of good friends, faith to hang in there.

Congratulations to this group, founders, organizations, workers and volunteers.

KB
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you so much for donating the pillows for our patients. The last 10 years or so, I have dressed as Santa (Its sort of funny, since I am only 4'11") and given our patients some type of small present. As we have no source of income, it gets more difficult each year. I really appreciated your useful pillows. It was neat to see one of the ladies immediately put it behind her neck. We are always losing pillows, so even the small ones are a help. This was the last year for me to play Santa, as I am retiring this year. As I settle in Florida, I hope I can find something useful to do such as you are doing. Keep up the good work! There are many people in need.

Again, thank you for thinking of our unit.
Joan R, RN
Vernon Dialysis Center
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
On behalf of our 125 patients at both Windham and Vernon Dialysis, I wish to thank you for the pillows you made for us as holiday gifts. The patients were both surprised and pleased with these lovely hand-made gifts. I am sure that you are aware of the discomfort of sitting in a dialysis chair for 3-4 hours, 3 times a week. Your pillows make the treatment a bit more comfortable for all of our patients. It is comforting to know that there are organizations such as yours available to assist those who are ill and disabled.

Thank you again for your hard work and kindness.
Vicki K, LCSW
Renal Social Worker
RGH Dialysis Center
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
On behalf of the Enfield Police Department I wish to thank you for your donation of blankets and pillows. In times of crisis your donation will add a degree of comfort to those who need it most.

Again thank you so much for your generosity and civic pride.

Carl J. Sferrazza
Chief of Police
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your pillow, blanket and knitted hat. They have all been used. Thank you for your kindness.

Pat C.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks so much for the polar fleece pillow. I found it helpful for the car ride home from Hartford Hospital. I am 38 years old and newly diagnosed. It's wonderful to have an organization like yours reaching out during this difficult time.

Fondly,
A.G.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to thank you for the donation of neck pillows. Our guests are thrilled to receive the fruits of your labor.

We aim to make each of our guests experience a pleasant stay. Having your pillows provides an extra ammenity.

We appreciate your generousity and kind spirit. Continue doing your fine work.

Regards,
Janet H.
House Manager
Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut

---------------------------------------------------------------Dear 'CuzWeCare',
Many thanks for the lovely items you sent my husband recently. He is regularly using both the pillow cover and the neck pillow. He carries the pillow with him from bed to lounge chair, etc. You chose just the right color, the Scotch plaid because he cherishes his Scotch ancestry.

We live 'one day at a time' now and are so appreciative of your kindness. Please continue your good work.

Sincerely,
Shirley M.
California

I can't even begin to tell you how much we appreciate your kindness and generosity! The pillows are wonderful and they are loved by the residents.

Thank you so very, very much.

Ann

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for yet another most needed and very much appreciated supply of pillows. We have been out of them for a few weeks and I can't tell you how many of the nurses have been looking for them to make our patients more comfortable. When I walked in today with our new supply, I was greeted with cheers and smiles.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment.

Laura

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the special pillow and case that I received. I love them both. It's people like you who make it a little easier to deal with. Thank you so very much for thinking of others and reaching out. God bless you all

Ellen

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dearest Circle of Friends,

We gave away all of the pillows. One patient said "Oh, oh, what a surprise!". He put it under his IV arm during his infusion and brought it back with him for every treatment.

Thanks again,
Debbie
Hem/Onc
Hartford Hospital

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear CuzWeCare,
   On behalf of our cancer program and our patients, please accept my thanks for your generous contribution of comfort pillows for our cancer patients. These patients use the pillows throughout their recovery and treatment...
    ... Your use of the soft comfortable fleece fabric makes them very inviting. The workmanship is exquisite. You obviously put a lot of thought and a lot of heart into your work.
    Thank you again for improving the quality of life for our patients ...
Yours Truly,
Katherine
Midstate Medical Center

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

...Words cannot express our gratitude for your donation to the (Name omitted) Fundraiser. With your contribution and the attendance at the fundraiser itself, we raised over $4,000. A check was donated to (Name omitted) Courage Fund on June 27th, 2005

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I wanted to thank you for the wonderful and useful gifts that you gave me. I went right home and used my pillowcase that night and it was FANTASTIC. The cotton pillowcase would hurt when I moved my head, but this one is so soft and comfy - it is truly wonderful. I wear my cap daily at home, it is also so comfortable. Thank you so much, the gifts have been a lifesaver for sure.

JPM
South Carolina

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you so very much for the neck pillows. We thought about a specific patient who had wanted a small pillow the last time that she was here. She was so excited to get the pillow and said that it was just the perfect size for putting at the nape of her neck or in the small of her back.
Volunteers like you bring comfort to the lives of our patients. Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Hem/Onc Staff

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

... I need to tell you how much our patients are appreciating your pillows. The feedback has been tremendous and the smiles on folks' faces, priceless!
... I hope that you realize what a positive impact you are having on so many people's lives. Continue the good work ...

Fondly,
Laura S
Executive Director
Echo Cancer Foundation

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

... Thank you so much for the beautiful soft blanket, Mom loves it. The pillows came in handy, too. Thank you for being so thoughtful and kind to us.

Love,
Carmela

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you so much for our neck pillows. We received them last Sunday. My husband and I are both Cancer survivors (by the grace of God).
... we truly appreciate your kindness.
Love, Hugs, Smiles,
Bob and Marion

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

   As a Laryngeal Cancer survivor, I attended the survivor's day at the Marriott. I wish to thank you for the pillow that you presented to all of us. As a laryngectomee, I am not able to lay down flat therefore I was forced to get a medical bed to keep me in a vertical position.
  I was always using a regular pillow, however, since I started to use your pillow, I am in a better position for watching TV. In addition, I have noticed the usual pain in my neck that I would get from watching TV with my old pillow has disappeared since I started using yours.
    Please thank all of the volunteers who are working so hard in providing these pillows. As a Laryngectomee with an arthritic condition, really appreciates the experience that your pillow provides.

Very Truly yours,
Frank S.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

On behalf of Bristol Hospital's Oncology Department, I would like to personally thank you for your recent donation of neck pillows. Your thoughfullness and efforts are greatly appreciated by our patients. They are a source of great comfort.

Yours truly,
James B.
Practice Manager
Hematology/Oncology
Bristol Hospital

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

   On behalf of the George Bray Cancer Center, and the New Britain General Hospital, we want to acknowledge and thank you for your many 'comfort pillows' donated to us during the past few weeks. As you know, we've been able to deliver them to our cancer patients in chemotherapy, our inpatient cancer patients on C-5, the newborn nursery, Dialysis, and wherever we have identified a special need.
   ... we look forward to sharing these wonderful cuddly pillows with our special guests at our 13th annual National Cancer Survivors Day. Regardless of where they are on their journey, our cancer patients are so appreciative of every little extra thing we can give them that conveys our support and most of all, our caring.
   ... When gifts come from the hearts of many caring individuals, only good things can come from them. Thank you for sharing your blessings and those of your supporters with us and our patient family.

Sincerely,
Marcia A                                                Tamara W
Cancer Resource Specialist                        Manager, Outpatient Oncology
George Bray Cancer Center                        George Bray Cancer Center

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your generous donation of blankets to the Newington Police Department. We will be placing some of the blankets in the Sergeants patrol vehicle and the remainder with our Youth Officer. They will be used to comfort children during times of crisis.
I especially admire the time and effort you are putting into your volunteerism. Again, thank you.

Sincerely,
Richard Mullhall
Chief of Police
Newington Police Department

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

On behalf of the Human Services Commission and staff, we sincerely thank CuzWeCare for the beautiful neck pillows for our homebound residents. I know our residents will use the pillows and they will know that they are being thought about. These pillows will lift their spirits and at the same time, give them comfort.
Again, many, many thanks to all of the volunteers for their hard work and their effort to help those in need.

Sincerely,
Mary Ellen L
Director of Human Services
Town of Woodbridge, CT

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

... My wife, who has cancer, received one of your pillows today from Doctor Morgan's office. I just called to thank you very, very, very much for doing that - very special - really gives people a little "up" when you do that - lets them know that people like you care.

We would be happy to make pillows or whatever.

P.R.
Suffield, CT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

We would like to thank you very much for the pillowcases and pillows. Our patients seemed to love them.

Thank you very much for coming into our office.

Dr. Morgan and staff
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am a dialysis patient at New Britain General Hospital and I just wanted to thank you very much for the soft pillow - it's a very nice thing. Thank you very much.

L.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you so much for the head pillow! I am a hemodialysis patient and I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Lori M

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love your pillows they are so soft, I cuddle with it every night! Also the color pink is very comforting. I think you guys did a great job! I couldn't thank you anymore! I want to make pillows for a good cause just like you guys!

Harleigh

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would like to thank you both for coming to visit Kayla and giving her all your donations you made. She really enjoys all of them. And it was very nice to drop this to our house cause we know how busy you both are. We appreciate it very much. It's people like both of you that this world needs. we don't have enough!

Thanks again!
Jan& kayla & Family

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I want to thank you for the gift box you sent to my husband. The pillow, pillow case and quilt are great! so soft and warm. He really liked them and wanted the pillow case on his pillow ASAP!

God bless you for caring. When you are fighting cancer,you need all the
caring you can get.. Thank you again

T.G.
PA.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

On behalf of the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology I would like to thank you for the beautiful hand made hats and pillows donated to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Items such as these bring much comfort to our families and our babies and will be given to our families in need. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are greatly appreciated by the faculty, staff and families.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Ted S. Rosenkrantz, M.D.
Professor, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynecology
Head, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
University of Connecticut School of Medicine

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the members of the board, staff and clients of Tri-Town Shelter, we would like to thank you for your donations of blankets. It was nice of you to think of us and take the time to bring the donation to our shelter. Your kindness is greatly appreciated, you helped to make life at the shelter a little brighter for our clients and their families.

With so many people who need our services all donations are valued. We are privileged that you support our work. The shelter relies heavily on community. Through the combined efforts of the public and the private sectors we can begin to address the problems of homelessness.

Thank you for your thoughfulness and generosity, together we can make a difference.

Sincerely,
Pieter Nijssen
Executive Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

A note of thanks to you & the many people who make "CuzWeCare" pillows possible. My pillow has given me hours of comfort.

I had the pleasure of meeting you both at the Southington Care Center ...

My progress has been slow but steady & home feels ever so good.

Thanks again,
Marion G

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

To CuzWeCare,

I received one of your neck pillows and just wanted to say thank you. I use it for my back when I am driving. Your pillow was given to me at the Infusion Center at Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center where I have been a "survivor" since March of 2005.

I have a standard sewing machine and would like to help ... Thank you again for the pillow.

Laura P

-------------------------------------------------------------------------