You don’t have to tell me about the power that clothing has. I’ve been transforming the styles of women for 11 years. I’ve seen women get new jobs, fall in love, change things they dislike and feel more in control of their lives, simply with a change of wardrobe. However, I never gave much thought to the healing power of clothing. That was until I heard of Hug Wraps, today’s Fab Find.
Creator Brenda Jones could never have imagined that her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2008 would not only transform her life and but also touch the lives of cancer patients around the world.
After realizing that traditional hospital gowns left her feeling like a victim, she knew that she needed to wear something LOUDER than cancer.
As Jones explains on her website, “My first day of radiation, the staff looked at me, pointed to the dressing room and handed me a hospital gown, and the nurse said, ‘You are going to wear one of these for the next seven weeks.’ And she pointed to a stack of hospital gowns. That is when the dam broke. At that point, I knew I might not be able to control cancer, but I could control what I wore.” Jones calls that her “Vera Wang moment,” when the kimono-style flannel treatment gown was born.
Jones purchased the most bright, cheerful flannel fabric she could find and made a pattern to allow for drains, coverage and front opening and designed it for dignity. She wore the gown everyday. Soon other patients became interested and were shocked that she made it. Since making a Hug Wrap for a fellow patient and has kept making them for others, remarking that the best part about it was it took the focus off her. “Every time I sat down to sew another Hug Wrap for another patient, it was the best therapy to get rid of my anger” Jones said.
In January of 2011 Hug Wraps obtained its 501(C)3 status with the vision of one day being able to provide Hug Wraps at no cost to cancer patients.
Brenda still does all the sewing herself and is in need of monetary donations for fabric and always loves to hear from potential sponsors who will cover the cost of creating Hug Wraps so that she can pass them on to cancer patients at no cost and keep making a difference in patients’ lives. To donate to Brenda Jones’ amazing efforts, click here for more information.
For more information visit HugWraps.com
