Saint Francis Receives Multiple Community Donations for the Holidays

The AMI Foundation donated 25 comfort bags to the Cancer Center.

The TIDE Cancer Foundation is a Connecticut-based organization started by a cancer survivor that provides thoughtfully curated care packages to support women while they undergo cancer treatment. The TIDE Foundation, which has been a supporter of Saint Francis for several years, delivered 40 comfort bags just before the holidays. Each care package contained comforting essentials – a blanket, lotion, inspirational journal with pen, socks, ginger chews, a “hope” bracelet, and lip balm all packaged in a reusable tote bag.

The Angela Marotta Inho Foundation, based in Hartford, was started by Angela’s daughters, Allison and Jennifer. After losing their mom to lung cancer, the sisters started the AMI Foundation to raise money for lung cancer research as well as to donate comfort bags for patients in the Harford area. For the second year, the AMI Foundation donated 25 bags containing a grocery gift card, hand knitted hat, journal, ice pack, activity/drawing books and more.

Chelsea Pham, a senior at South Windsor High School, chose a senior capstone project focused on giving back to the community. For her project, Chelsea taught herself to crochet and – as a beginner – crocheted teddy bear keychains, because to her, teddy bears are a universal sign of comfort. Chelsea chose Saint Francis because she participated in a club at her high school that volunteered with the hospital, and wanted to give back again. The keychains will be included in comfort kits provided to children in the Emergency Department as they wait with their families.