Leukemia Survivor Gifts 200 Handmade Blankets to West Michigan Hospital

A Journey of Healing and Giving Back

Cynthia Rackham, a resident of Belding, Michigan, has always believed in the power of kindness and giving back. Her journey began over 25 years ago when she was diagnosed with leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and lymph nodes. At the time, she felt that God had a bigger plan for her life, and that belief has continued to guide her through the challenges she has faced.

During her six-week hospital stays, Rackham found comfort in the support of her family, especially from her husband Rodney’s great aunt, who gifted her a handcrafted quilt. That quilt became a symbol of hope and healing for her during one of the most difficult times in her life. Now, as a 69-year-old woman, she wants to pay that kindness forward by helping others going through similar struggles.

Inspired by the comfort she received, Rackham decided to create tie blankets for children battling cancer. She set a goal of making 200 blankets, which many people thought was an ambitious number. However, she exceeded that goal, creating more than 200 blankets. The finished products were delivered to Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, July 16, at the donation center located at 25 Michigan St. NE in Grand Rapids.

Rackham worked closely with friends and fellow members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to create the blankets over the past three months. Many community members also joined in, donating over 30 yards of fabric to support her initiative. “We’ve been making them every other week, and we probably do about maybe 12 of them,” she said. “I was given quite a bit of money to go and buy the materials.”

Each blanket is made using a no-sew method, where two pieces of fleece are layered and strips are cut around the edges. These strips are then tied together, creating a warm and soft blanket that takes about an hour and a half to complete. Despite initial concerns from some community members that the hospital might not accept the blankets, Rackham received confirmation from hospital staff that they would be welcomed. The only requirements were that the blankets couldn’t be full-sized bed coverings and that they would need to be washed before being given to young patients.

“I’m hoping it will just light their world up because we just made so many different kinds that I’m sure they will find a blanket they’ll fall in love with,” Rackham said. “Hopefully, it will help them get through their sickness and put a smile on their face.”

Looking ahead, Rackham hopes to continue making blankets this winter, but instead of donating them to children in hospitals, she plans to give them to children in foster care. This new goal reflects her ongoing commitment to helping those in need and continuing the cycle of kindness that she once received.

For Rackham, this journey has come full circle. Despite enduring chemotherapy and the heartbreaking loss of her daughter in a car accident, she continues to believe in a higher purpose. “I believe in God, and I know there’s always a reason for everything, but it was hard for me because in my mind, I wanted to be with her,” she said. “But I know it wasn’t my time to go yet. Heavenly Father still has other work for me to do - maybe it’s giving back to these children.”