Pay it Forward: Woman makes gifts for children facing cancer treatments
(KUTV) Getting cancer treatment, like radiation, can be scary -- especially for children.
One Utah woman is helping kids feel a little more brave by giving them special gifts before treatment.
Jill Perkins makes princess crowns and superhero capes for the children who go to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for radiation.
Perkins' daughter, Ashley Larsen, works at the front desk of the Radiation Oncology Department. She noticed how nervous patients were before starting treatment.
"A lot of them, especially the little ones, are super scared," Larsen said.
So she called her mom with the idea of making something to give the kids when they check in.
"I consider myself a crafty person," laughed Perkins.
Perkins started off making princess crowns for all of the little girls.
"Little girls all want to be princesses," she said.
Then she got the idea of making superhero capes to give to the boys.
"I make them out of fleece so they're warm," she said.
When the gifts are done, Larsen takes them to work and hands them out to the kids.
And Larsen has seen how the special crafts are making a difference in the lives of the little patients.
"They walk in more confident," Larsen said of the kids who come in for more treatment.
"It really makes them feel better," said Perkins.
And it's not just the patients who are getting something out of the act of kindness.
"It just gives me so much joy," said Perkins.
"It's changed my life completely," said Larsen.
Perkins buys all of the supplies herself. She has made about 20-30 crowns, and nearly 10 capes. She also makes inspirational bracelets for the older girls who come in and is still trying to decide what to make for the older boys.
"It's totally worth any sacrifice that I have to make," she said.
