The Quilt Project

Going through a challenging life experience such as cancer can be likened in several ways to creating a patchwork quilt. The process of selecting your treatment and personal support teams and making choices about any behavioral changes (such as diet, exercise, learning new coping skills, etc.) is akin to choosing fabrics and patterns. Much like the response to a cancer diagnosis, quilting involves putting pieces together to get the best result. Finally, there is always an element of mystery: no matter how much planning goes into the process, we can't know exactly how the quilt -- or how our lives -- will turn out. Recognizing these similarities, we have chosen quilts as a symbol for The Dempsey Center.

Beautiful patchwork quilts decorate the Center's walls. "Comfort quilts" created by caring community members are given to patients receiving treatment. Volunteer quilters are constructing an "Honor Quilt" and a "Memory Quilt". These quilts -- consisting of 6- by 6-inch squares embroidered with different designs, fabrics, and embellishments -- honor both those who are living with cancer as well as those who died from it.

Do you quilt? We are always looking for volunteer quilters to assist us with these projects. Please contact The Dempsey Center at 207-795-8250 to learn more.

Would you like to purchase a quilt square in honor of or memory of a loved one with cancer?