Blankets of Hope

Give a simple gift of hope

The Blankets of Hope is an award winning initiative run by Iris House

The Blankets of Hope was an idea Ann Dowling Spillane saw in the States. When she was going through Cancer herself, she found that some-days it was very cold in the Chemotherapy ward and there was a need for a Comfort Blanket. So she approached our Volunteers and asked them what they thought about us making blankets for those going through the journey of cancer, and they were very excited by it. We started by asking the volunteers in the Centre and also families involved in the centre to make and knit squares or Blankets. This initiative started on the 4th of January 2014 and today, January 2022 we have donated over 27,000 blankets right across the country, and in some cases, have been posted worldwide.

Linda Goggin James CEO

How do you get a blanket?

The Blankets of Hope are taken to the Oncology and Radiology Wards in Cork and Kerry, nurses distribute them to Cancer patients. We also distribute them from our Centre at 26 Saint Paul’s Avenue, Cork (Lavitts Quay end). All of our Blankets are delivered to people’s homes and nursing homes, and posted to all requests we receive at our Centre. If you would like more information please phone 0214949090 or email corkcancercarecentre@gmail.com.

We have Blankets of Hope for Children, Women and Men, all made with hands of Hope and Love.

In the last eight years our blankets have touched so many peoples lives , all of this would not be possible but only for our amazing volunteers, knitters, knitting groups, schools, I.C.A ladies, UCC Knitters, and individuals who look for no praise or thanks . We are so grateful for every single one of you….

In 2022 we will continue to go from strength to strength under our banner of

BLANKETS OF HOPE CORK
There are far too many people who have contributed to the Blankets of Hope over the years to mention them all, but we would like to thank our Wednesday night Knit and Natter co-ordinators, Margaret Kelleher and Ann Goggin with a team of volunteers, who have worked tirelessly since 2016 to bring comfort to those on the journey with cancer through the Blankets Of Hope.

Blankets of Hope is also operating in West Cork & Kerry

Each blanket is given to a person going through treatment for cancer, nothing says someone cares and wants to you to heal than a hand made blanket….

If you would like to make a blanket either knitted or crochet to donate, please by all means do so and then contact us Blankets of Hope West Cork. If you have wool that you would like to donate we would be so very grateful as we run solely on donations.