The Pink Project got its start when Barbara Churchill, mother of Belinda Churchill, an employee of Bon Secours St. Francis, was diagnosed with breast cancer early in 2015. After successful surgery, Mrs. Churchill wanted to do something to thank her surgeon as well as connect with other cancer patients – those who were newly diagnosed, going through treatment, or in remission.

Belinda encouraged her mother to do something with a personal touch,  which resulted in a conversation about knitting squares that focused on breast cancer.  The squares were very well received by the surgeon, which started Belinda thinking about a similar project that could involve people in the hospital.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, Belinda determined the goal of her project would be to give everyone who came to St. Francis for a mammogram a square.

A colleague at the Pearlie Harris Breast Center confirmed the average per month was 3,000.  Feeling overwhelmed by that number, the next step was to find out how many people were seen on the mobile coach each month.  The number of 350 was more manageable.  In addition, the colleague asked if it would be possible to provide a square to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, so they were included as well, bringing the total squares to 400, which is the goal of the project.

In the month of March, The Pink Project was launched to the senior leadership team at the hospital – with astounding results.  In addition to work colleagues, members of LifeWise, friends and family, as well as community knitting groups have become partners in this effort.  A local artist became involved early on, committing to making a prayer card for each cloth.

If you would like to be part of this effort, patterns and yarn will be provided.  There is no minimum to make.  The only requirement is that you commit to knit two cloths per skein requested (each skein makes two cloths).