The members of CREW-Pittsburgh are embarking on the second year of their charitable
project and are looking forward to another outstanding success. The focus of the current project
is “women battling cancer,” a theme suggested by past president Kim Calabrese. As a result of
brainstorming and discussions with Aimee Anderson, Regional Patient Services Director for the
American Cancer Society the theme evolved into a tangible task – the New You Satchel.
The New You Satchels are handmade bags based on a creative design developed by
Heather Knuth, current president of CREW Pittsburgh. CREW members donate all the contents
of the satchel, including a turban, scarf, scarf pattern, and inspirational booklet. The unique
fabrics and trim that give the satchels their beauty have been donated by various businesses that
work with designers from CREW Pittsburgh.
“The overall goals of the project are to make a difference for women with cancer,” said
Eileen Iorio, Charity Director. “A second goal was to get our members involved using their
talents. It’s a way to give more than money, although we’re always happy to accept donations.”
Women in cancer treatment receive the satchels at a Look Good…Feel Better class. Look
Good…Feel Better is a partnership between the American Cancer Society, the National
Cosmetology Association and the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. Classes are
held at various hospitals throughout Allegheny County and are designed to help women deal
with the physical changes caused by chemotherapy and radiation. A trained cosmetologist who
teaches cosmetic techniques, wig selection and care, and scarf tying facilitates the classes. In
addition to learning about these topics, women in the class have a chance to share their
experiences with one another, ask questions, lend support and find hope. The distinctive quality
of the satchels makes the women that receive feel as if somehow, one was made just for them.
“When the women find out these satchels are made with love and care by so many
professional women,” said Janet Cosaco, a facilitator with the Look Good…Feel Better program.
“They feel blessed to have received a gift from a thoughtful stranger. They feel connected with
someone from outside the healthcare environment.”
Last year, CREW members participated in two sewing circles and worked on their own to
complete approximately 200 satchels. This year, the goal is to create enough satchels to give one
to every woman in the Look Good…Feel Better program, which means completing a little more
than 200 satchels. The first sewing circle for 2004 is scheduled for February 29, 2004 at
Desmone in Lawrenceville. There are some new additions to the satchels for 2004, including a
blank journal for women in treatment to use.
“The journals are something that our members can donate easily,” said Iorio. “And they
offer a chance for women with cancer to write about what they are going through whether they
share it with anyone or not.”
The New You Satchels are only part of the charitable events that CREW Pittsburgh
members participated in last year. Daffodil Days, another American Cancer Society event held
annually in March, was chosen because it gave CREW members a chance to network with
potential clients and raise about $3,400 for Allegheny County. The efforts of CREW members
and other volunteers made Allegheny County the highest grossing county in the nation.
“Having CREW involved with our Daffodil Days campaign has been a real pleasure,”
said Amy Logston, Income Development Specialist for the American Cancer Society. “Their
members worked very hard to bring the message of hope to businesses in Allegheny County and
were instrumental in helping the American Cancer Society reach its fundraising goals in 2003. I
look forward to working with them in 2004.”
But CREW members didn’t stop with those two projects. In 2003, they networked while
walking in the Race for the Cure, dedicated to women with breast cancer, and the Walk for the
Whisper, which is dedicated to women with ovarian cancer, and raised about $300 to donate to
each event.
“We’re looking to involve more friends in the walks this year and to ‘double-up’ for
Daffodil Days,” said Iorio. “We want to continue to offer our members a chance to network, to
be involved and to help in a very tangible way.”