SCGH Patients All Bundled Up in Quilts

27 June 2011

Anonymous quilters have been donating to the patients of Sir Charles Gairdner for the past five years, after the Community Quilts Program became aware of the patients’ need for warm coverings.

The West Australian Quilters Association (WAQA) donates an average of 500 quilts per year, and up to 60 of these go to patients at SCGH in either the Haematology Care Centre or the Renal Dialysis Unit.

Lisa Repsevicius, Convenor of the Community Quilts Program, WAQA, says the program attempts to make a difference to those enduring hardship and adverse circumstances, and provide comfort and warmth to the recipients.

“The patient chooses their own quilt; there is this intangible bond between quilter and patient based on the unique colour and style of each creation,” she said.

“Quilters love to know that their creations are treasured and the most common sentiment they hear in cards and notes from patients is surprise that a perfect stranger would create something so intricate just for them.”

Most quilters buy and use their own supplies to make their quilts, some of which cost many hundreds of dollars. The program also occasionally receives donations of fabric which they give to community quilters for free use. 

One of the quilt recipients is SCGH patient Pauline Caterall.

"I would like to thank the quilters for the beautiful quilts they donated to myself and other patients in the Dialysis Unit,” she said. “The warmth and comfort they give bring smiles to all our faces."

Anyone can donate a quilt through the WAQA program. To find out more contact waqaweb@gmail.com or visit the WAQA website www.waquilters.org.au

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