Local woman knits caps for cancer victims
By DINAH RICHMOND
Contributing writer
If life is like crossing a river, and obstacles are the gators that nip at your heels as you attempt to cross to safety on the other shore, over the years Beverly Wilson had managed to stay out of their reach for the most part.
Unfortunately, in December 2002, the biggest gator in the river caught up with her — breast cancer. She faced firsthand what we who have never experienced it think we know from a safe distance. She was initiated into a club that boasts a membership of young people, old people, black, white, brown, female, male — all struggling to cope with an unknown future or no future at all.
Her path on the journey was successful even considering that she lost a breast, her hair, and her peace of mind. Losing her hair bothered her deeply. After her recovery she often remarked that the telltale turbans "screamed cancer."
During a conversation with a friend in Idaho who hadn't had cancer, Bev learned that her friend spent her spare time knitting stocking caps to donate to various chemotherapy sites in her community. To Bev it seemed the least she could do to give back some measure of dignity to those who would inevitably follow her.
Soon she was calling all her friends asking for discarded skeins of yarn, odds and ends left over after projects were completed.
In the past year, Beverly has knitted and donated 133 stocking caps to sites in Newton, El Dorado, and Emporia.
Judy Claassen, Sharon Pickens, Bev's daughter Roxie, and I accompanied her recently on one of her goodwill adventures to the Central Care Cancer Center in Emporia where she donated 43 stocking caps. The receptionist appeared overwhelmed — in a very good way — as she posed with Bev and the stocking caps. It was a moment I'm glad to say I shared.
As soon as Beverly got home she started knitting again. Seems that there is always a home for castoff yarn, if you get my meaning.
Bev is most grateful to those people who have made her project possible by donating yarn.
