Washington Twp. woman helping cancer patients with ‘Comfee Caps’

When two of her closest friends were battling cancer eight years ago, Washington Township resident, Sue Forrest, decided to provide comfort to them in a very unique way. Little did she know that it turned into a much larger labor of love.

MORE: Regional center now dispatching calls for Washington Twp.

Forrest wanted to help her friends, who were undergoing chemotherapy treatment have something warm for their heads when the ravages of the treatment set in. That is when she came up with her Comfee Caps.

“Two of my girlfriends where having chemo treatments at the same time of the the year, 2010, and I wanted to knit something soft and comfortable,” she explained. “The cap seemed to be the perfect fit with some very light yarn that can be worn inside or out. After giving them one, they said they couldn’t find any that were that soft and stayed on the head, so I made each another. I continued knitting them for friends of friends and family. I would pray for their healing. I even had people send a check to cover for yarn for someone else. When someone asked me to make one for a 3-year-old girl that was dealing with ovarian cancer - who by the way, Chloe is 8-years-old and in remission. I felt God calling me to start this outreach.”

The caps have helped provide many local patients with comfort and Forrest has even expanded.

“We have taken several caps to the Kettering Cancer Center but our vision is to get these to as many communities as possible and in every state,” she explained. “Love is the healer and prayer is the answer. Going through chemo treatments can be very scary and lonely. We would love to reach as many patients as God has planned for us.”

MORE: Washington Twp. center that houses Original Pancake House will be renovated to lure new businesses

The effort has been helped by a special group of knitters that Forrest refers to as the Love Team.

“We have given away approximately 80 caps to this date, and we are just at the beginning. We have women from Michigan, Ohio, Alabama and Arizona contributing their talents.”

Right now she is hoping to grow her team of knitters.

"Yes, we would love more on our Love Team. We have a website Comfeecaps.org with patterns of caps to knit or crochet," she said. "We have yarn available to drop off or mail. For those who don't knit, but want to participate, we have a donation page on the website. We are a not-for-profit."

MORE: 80-year-old Washington Twp. man still a kid at Carillon’s Rail Fest

About the Author