Knitch Magazine

Gift-wrapped packages of shawls and wraps are ready to be given to cancer patientsTheir bio starts off, "We are two ordinary women who..."

Immediately I think, "Yes, two ordinary women who have taken upon themselves the very ordinary task of bringing comfort and support to courageous, frightened women battling to overcome their cancer." It doesn't sound all that ordinary to me.

Lois Geisler and Terri Eisenfeld, founders of Embraceable Wraps

Embraceable Wraps is the brainchild of Terri Eisenfeld and Lois Geisler whose goal is to provide wraps, blankets, hats and socks for women undergoing chemotherapy. These two ladies of indomitable spirit not only want to provide cancer patients with the warmth they need, but also to create a market for yarns, shawls, sweaters, blankets and pins that raise money to support cancer research and awareness.

Terri is the wife of a Florida physician who was a stay-at-home mom while her kids grew up. A knitter who created many of her own babies' items, Terri took a break from the craft until a grandchild was on the way.

Lois, who worked in an oncology office and who happens to be Terri's best friend, is also a Florida knitter. She was the impetus behind the program. When her friend Dara Leichter, who works with cancer patients, asked her to knit some shawls for the women she helps, Lois was only too happy to comply. She recruited her friend Terri when she realized the need was greater than what she could manage on her own.

Warmth and comfort...both physical and spiritual

Often, patients receiving chemo treatments shiver from the chill, hair loss and anemia that can accompany the life-saving treatment. When you destroy the bad cells, good cells are eliminated, too, and this has almost unbearably uncomfortable side effects. It's a high price to pay...but life is worth it. Terri and Lois provide women who undergo these treatments with beautiful shawls that warm body as well as the heart and the spirit.

Diane Grissom tells us, "I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2010. I had surgery and began a regimen of chemotherapy that would last at least a year and require me to be on medication for at least five years. There are no words to describe my reaction to the diagnosis and the horror I imagined chemo to be. Especially the thought of losing my hair!"

The Castaways are proud to have contributed to Embraceable WrapsDiane had read a newspaper article about Lois and Terri's efforts, and thought it was a notable hobby, but never imagined she'd one day be the thankful recipient of their generosity.

"It was my dear friend Marty," she says, "who contacted Lois and Terri and ordered my Embraceable Wrap. Marty’s friendship and supportive words were already a welcomed embrace...and then to give me the gift was overwhelming. I feel that giving me the wrap made Marty feel like she was able to do something for me. It was as rewarding for her as it was for me."

"I take it to every treatment which sometimes last four to five hours. The treatment rooms are often cold and unfortunately very busy with cancer patients all day long. My wrap keeps me warm, supported and comforted at a time when I am mentally and physically at my lowest. Every stitch reminds me how blessed I am to have family, friends and the best medical team to share my life with during and after I conquer cancer!"

And conquer it she will with the support of friends she has never met.

The need for these comforting shawls is so great that Terri and Lois are appealing to knitters everywhere to knit and donate items, to buy Embraceable Wraps yarns and patterns, or to sponsor a knitter who will create a hat, scarf, shawl or blanket for the organization.

One very admirable volunteer is 93-year old Rae Rubin, who says she was inspired by the words of the prophet Haggai . He taught that charity for a stranger is the highest form of kindness. After reading about Terri and Lois' Embraceable Wraps in a local newspaper published by the Jewish Federation she decided to participate.

Lynn Anderson contributes to Embraceable Wraps. Recently, her daughter was diagnosed with cancer and recieved the gift of a shawl."I spent 35 years as a volunteer Braille transcriber," she tells us, "and was active in volunteer organizations. I suppose 'giving comfort to strangers' is the basis for all volunteerism, and we do these things simply because we want to be helpful. We don't expect thanks, and actually seldom get any, but that is not the point. We are not looking for it. I only know it gives me a very good feeling to know that I am helping someone, and maybe making their day a bit happier. I have never known any of the people whom I helped, I just know it was something I wanted to do."

"I never dreamed, at my age and relative isolation in a senior residence, that I would be involved in this sort of thing again, and I am glad I am. See where volunteering can lead!"

Rae Rubin is a remarkable woman. Intelligent, kind, generous and active. Perhaps she's found that the secret to a long life is to live a good life.

Support from throughout the community

As word about their efforts continued to spread throughout their community, Lois and Terri started asking other Florida knitters for help. One of the knitters who picked up on the idea is Teddy Rodenfels, who is secretary of the Castaways, the Fort Myers chapter of TKGA. This local group is fairly new, but has already been involved in charitable programs. Last year, they made helmet liners for soldiers in Afghanistan.

"We became aware of Embraceable Wraps through two of our members, Mary Bonnette and JoLynne Murchland. Mary and JoLynne are owners of The Sassy Skein, and were already acquainted with Terri and Lois. So we were very comfortable accepting Embraceable Wraps as our group project this year," says Teddy.

Teddy adds, "Our very creative group members were each able to make something beautiful and personal. That was one of the best things about it: each member could knit at her own comfort and ability level. And looking around the table around our January meetings, there was such color and variety! Some of our members are beginners, and were also able to use this as a learning project."

One of the first recipients of an Embraceable Shawl was Judy Serio. Her mother ordered one for her after reading about the organization and making a donation."We loved the mission," she says, "because it supports so many women regardless of "type" of cancer... and there are far too many. We also love Terri and Lois, they are wonderful ambassadors for their project. And for us, they are local girls, even though their organization is national."

Lynn Anderson is another woman who learned about Embraceable Wraps and decided to participate.

"When I was younger I used to think that one had to experience the bad thing oneself in order to understand and give comfort. Now I know that is not true. As I knit for my lady who will receive the shawl I work on, I pray for her. I know when she receives the shawl, that many women all rolled into this one shawl have prayed and care for her."

"It is my deepest pleasure to knit these shawls. Embraceable Wraps have given so many of us a way to help, to make a difference in the lives of women who are undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. It's personal."

Almost unimaginably, Lynn Anderson's kindness was soon returned by other knitters.

"My own daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in March. She underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction in April. Embraceable Wraps was so kind to send her a shawl and cap. It was a surprise to her to receive the package and a surprise to me when Lois asked for Melissa's address. It never seems that you will be the one who needs the comforting, but — oh — how nice it feels."

Lynn concludes, "It is a lovely gift and knowing the prayers it carries is deeply comforting. We don't know what the final treatment or outcome will be, but the shawl will be carried along wherever she goes."

You can bring comfort to others

93-year young Rae Rubin contributes regularly to Embraceable Knits. She is shown here with some of the caps she's created.Now that they've made themselves known locally, they're spreading their idea throughout the United States and Canada, hoping to open up chapters everywhere so other women can help.

They're approaching yarns shops and the media and are receiving support from others, like themselves, who know the importance of kindness.

Trisha Malcolm, editor of Vogue Knitting magazine says of the organization, "We love this project, and we think that it is such a wonderful way for knitters to show they care." Vogue Knititng is helping spread the word of the charity.

To assist in fund-raising, the yarns are carried by a few online shops like Yarnmarket.com, each yarn color bearing a name that befits the organization: Ray of Light White, The Power of Pink, Together We Heal Teal, Victory Violet, Peaceful in Pink, and All Together Aqua.

The proceeds are given to cancer research and awareness.

If you'd like to help these out-of-the ordinary women continue to do their extraordinary work, consider creating one of their projects, purchasing their yarn, or donating an item for the women needing comfort and warmth.

Like Rae Rubin, you just might learn that a good life is a long life...and almost certainly, a happy one.