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WIU students Sierra Ransom and Rebecca Holcomb Rankin are pictured with the chemotherapy pillows their WIU class donated to McDonough District Hospital this week.
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WIU Theatre and Dance Students Create 'Chemo Pillows' in Service Learning Project

December 13, 2019

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MACOMB, IL – A course in Western Illinois University's Department of Theatre and Dance transitioned their classroom work at the end of the semester to build chemotherapy pillows, which were donated to McDonough District Hospital this week.

Students in Theater 165: Costume Construction finished their class projects early this year and decided to move on to creating the pillows. The class is taught by Assistant Professor Jeannie Galioto and facilitated by WIU Costume Shop Manager Rebel Mickelson.

The class built 14 of the pillows as a service learning project. Chemo pillows are used to protect the chemo port and can be used in the car between the seat belt and the chest, used while sleeping to keep the port area safe and used under the arms to keep surgical areas safe.

"I have had several hospital stays with my daughter, and she always received a handmade sewn gift," said Galioto. "I wanted to pass on this lovely gesture and talked with the THEA 165: Costume Construction class about adding in a sewn project that could be given to our local hospital. Rebel Mickelson, costume shop manager, happened to have a pattern for a chemo pillow. I hope to continue this tradition and find other projects, or continue to make these pillows, in hopes of providing some comfort during an otherwise stressful and trying time."

For more information on the WIU Theatre and Dance program, visit wiu.edu/theatre.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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