The CEOS women spent the morning sewing and fashioning bags designed to hold drainage pouches which are used by patients following cancer treatments. The colorful and decorative bags are designed to discretely hide the drainage pouch, and the bags are also designed to be either tied around the patient’s waist or hung over the shoulder.

 

“We make these for the patient’s sake so they will be more comfortable going out in public,” said Ladonna Tucker, the CEOS chair for continuing education. “It’s helping people with their needs.”

 

This project is the latest round of help the Harrison County CEOS organization has offered to those dealing with the dreaded disease. Many of the county’s 21 clubs take on individual projects that are donated to agencies dealing with ill patients. Those items, along with these drainage pouch bags, will be distributed to patients at 10 a.m., Oct. 14 at the United Hospital Cancer Center.

 

“There is always a need for these things,” Tucker said.

 

Harrison County CEOS treasurer Charlene Burrows said the idea to fashion drain pouch bags came from officials at the hospital, who provided the CEOS members with a sample of what they were looking for. The CEOS provided the fabric and the labor to create 40 such bags.

 

“It makes you feel good to know you are helping someone who really needs something like this,” Burrows said.

 

The Harrison County CEOS organization is comprised of 21 clubs and nearly 300 members throughout the county. For more information about the organization or to join a local club, contact the West Virginia University Extension office at 304-624-8650.

 

Photo caption: Showing off a small sample of the cancer drainage pouch bags are Harrison County CEOS members, seated from left, Ladonna Tucker, Donna Chipps and Janet Robinson. Standing from left are Esther Wells, Charlene Burrows, Reona Heater, and Theresa Noble.

 

For more information, contact John Wickline, WVU Extension program assistant, at 304-624-8650.