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Cancer Survivors Help Themselves and Montefiore's Smallest Patients

BOLD Group Crochets Warm Blankets for NICU Babies

Members of the BOLD Living group presented blankets to NICU staff. (L to R) Michelle Spirito, Enriqueta Newman, Deborah Campbell, MD, Director, Neonatalogy; Theresa Fay-Conte, RNC; Otelia Mondesire, Suhas Nafday, MD, Director of Newborn Services; Barbara Gelnick, Genoveva Mercado, and Shirley Saban, Project Coordinator.

On Tuesday mornings at the Center for Radiation Therapy, a group of cancer survivors gathers to crochet squares that will be assembled for various projects, including providing blankets for babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The group is part of the Bronx Oncology Living Daily (BOLD Living) program sponsored by the EIF-Revlon Run/Walk which offers various workshops in addition to crocheting, such as Reiki healing, meditation, yoga, jewelry making and music.

"These cancer support programs are offered to help improve the quality of life and social and emotional well-being of our patients," said Alyson Moadel, PhD, Director of the Psychsocial Oncology program.

Members of the group recently visited the fifth floor NICU at the Weiler Division to present a collection of finished blankets. They toured the nursery where similar blankets could be seen warming the bassinets of more than 30 infants in the busy unit which has almost 700 admissions a year.

Enriqueta Newman said the crocheting has helped her regain flexibility in her fingers after chemotherapy. "Keeping busy is also good to keep from thinking too much," she added.

"Our families are often overwhelmed," said Theresa Fay-Conte, RNC, Administrative Nurse Manager for the NICU. "They are very appreciative when we present them with a handmade blanket."

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