COLUMBUS, Ohio – Oncology
nurses and volunteers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
– Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital
and Richard J. Solove Research Institute
(OSUCCC–James) are making
colorful surgical scrub hats to give to patients as part of the “Dream Hats”
project.
Media
are invited to cover the Dream Hats kick-off celebration at
10 a.m. Tuesday (10/9) at the James
Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, 300 W. 10th Ave. Parking will be
available at the James driveway loop.
Rae
Ream, an operating nurse at OSUCCC–James, founded Dream Hats as a way to
connect with patients on a personal level and to brighten their spirits. For
several years, Ream had been sewing uniquely designed surgical hats for staff
to wear in the operating room.
As the popularity
of the hats grew, she was approached by a patient who liked her hat so much
that Ream presented the patient with a hat just before she was wheeled into
surgery. Since then, Ream has been making hats for patients, and has recruited
a team of volunteers – mostly perioperative nurses in surgical oncology at The
James – to create more than 500 scrub hats for patients.
Ream also enlisted
the help of the
James Stitching Sisters,
a group of volunteers who make quilts for patients at the
Stefanie
Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, to help make the scrub caps at their
sewing center in Dublin. Volunteers meet on most Saturdays to sew Dream Hats.
“Everyone’s
hat is different, and a ‘bright spot’ for our patients. To those who are facing
chemotherapy and the possibility of losing their hair, a hat gives them a sense
of dignity and confidence. For others, it is a reminder of what they have
overcome, and for still others it gives them the courage to go forward,” says
Ream. “My dream is for every patient to face the future with faith, hope and a
resolve to one day cure cancer.
The Ohio State University
Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J.
Solove Research Institute strives to create a cancer-free world by
integrating scientific research with excellence in education and
patient-centered care, a strategy that leads to better methods of prevention,
detection and treatment. Ohio State is one of only 41
National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated
Comprehensive Cancer Centers and one of only seven centers funded by the NCI to
conduct both phase I and phase II clinical trials. The NCI recently rated Ohio State’s
cancer program as “exceptional,” the highest rating given by NCI survey teams.
As the cancer program’s 210-bed adult patient-care component, The James is a “Top Hospital”
as named by the Leapfrog Group and one of the top cancer hospitals in the
nation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
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Contact: Eileen Scahill, Wexner Medical
Center Public Affairs and
Media Relations, 614-293-3737, or
Eileen.Scahill@osumc.edu