The LeioMyoSarcoma Quilts
The birth of the Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) quilt was in August of 2000 when Lynda of Florida asked the L-M-Sarcoma on line support group about creating an awareness project. The public needs to know about this deadly and incurable Orphan Cancer. That’s when Karen Gibson suggested making a quilt. This idea took flight right away. The LMS quilt is similar to the Aids quilt with the exception that this is a true quilt. There are three layers that make up the LMS Quilt. There will be many sections that make up the LMS Quilt. The Aids quilt squares have a hem or only a backing. The sections of the LMS Quilt will travel across the country and be in different locations at the same time. Bobbie Keller is the guardian of these quilts.
The squares of the LMS quilt are for LMS patients only. The patients of LMS refer to this cancer as the "dragon". The squares represent loved ones fighting this cancer or who have lost their battle with the "dragon". Everyone does not sew, they will use fabric paint, fabric pigment pens, photo transfers, etc. Each quilt square tells it’s own story about the person it represents.
One of our patrons, CANA MACHINE QUILTING of Oyster Bay, NY machine quilted the layers of Section #1 Our patron, Marge Geary of the Evening Star Quilters of Mineola, NY machine quilted the layers of Section #2 and hand stitched the binding. The LMS Quilts have traveled across most of the continental United States and back again and have even debuted in Canada.
We truly appreciate the help and generosity our patrons have showered us with.
The quilt is helping our list family by bringing them the love and hugs from the rest of the family. Until you've seen the quilt or the look in people's eyes when they see the quilt, you can't fully feel what this project is all about.
Kathy in N. Las Vegas received the quilt when she was at a low point in her life because the disease was ravaging her body. She wrapped herself up in the quilt and it brought a smile to her face and tears to her eyes. Kathy has the courage to continue fighting. Jack in New Mexico received the quilt just when he needed the support and love from the list the most. He had just found out he has a recurrence. Jack and Susan spoke with their local newspaper and an article was written about Jack, LMS, and the quilt, complete with pictures.
There are currently two completed quilts and the third one is well on its way to being completed. We encourage families, friends, and social groups that have a loved one with LMS to show their support and creativity by "Building a Square" If you’re interested in making an LMS quilt square for yourself or a loved one, please e-mail Bobbie Keller for details.
[2-14-2008] There are now two completed sections of the quilt and the third is in process. These quilts are on display at HugFest and are available for display at any fund raiser, or for anyone who would like to just have to comfort of wrapping up in one of them.
The squares of the LMS quilt are for LMS patients only. The patients of LMS refer to this cancer as the "dragon". The squares represent loved ones fighting this cancer or who have lost their battle with the "dragon". Everyone does not sew, they will use fabric paint, fabric pigment pens, photo transfers, etc. Each quilt square tells it’s own story about the person it represents.
One of our patrons, CANA MACHINE QUILTING of Oyster Bay, NY machine quilted the layers of Section #1 Our patron, Marge Geary of the Evening Star Quilters of Mineola, NY machine quilted the layers of Section #2 and hand stitched the binding. The LMS Quilts have traveled across most of the continental United States and back again and have even debuted in Canada.
We truly appreciate the help and generosity our patrons have showered us with.
The quilt is helping our list family by bringing them the love and hugs from the rest of the family. Until you've seen the quilt or the look in people's eyes when they see the quilt, you can't fully feel what this project is all about.
Kathy in N. Las Vegas received the quilt when she was at a low point in her life because the disease was ravaging her body. She wrapped herself up in the quilt and it brought a smile to her face and tears to her eyes. Kathy has the courage to continue fighting. Jack in New Mexico received the quilt just when he needed the support and love from the list the most. He had just found out he has a recurrence. Jack and Susan spoke with their local newspaper and an article was written about Jack, LMS, and the quilt, complete with pictures.
There are currently two completed quilts and the third one is well on its way to being completed. We encourage families, friends, and social groups that have a loved one with LMS to show their support and creativity by "Building a Square" If you’re interested in making an LMS quilt square for yourself or a loved one, please e-mail Bobbie Keller for details.
[2-14-2008] There are now two completed sections of the quilt and the third is in process. These quilts are on display at HugFest and are available for display at any fund raiser, or for anyone who would like to just have to comfort of wrapping up in one of them.
The Story of the Quilt
The LMS Quilt project started about eight years ago and is the brainchild of Karen Gibson, a mother whose daughter was diagnosed with LMS. Karen made a block for her daughter. It is in the first completed quilt displayed at our first Hugfest in Lancaster in 2002. The idea behind this quilt project was similar to that of the AIDS quilt and in response to the growing need to increase awareness of LMS We all had heard of the AIDS quilt but Karen believed we didn’t need to go to that extreme. A secondary thought
crossed her mind--make the LMS quilt small enough to be shipped around the country to important events which could increase awareness of this "dragon." Also, the smaller size would enable it to be sent to anyone who might be nearing the end of their battle or just going through a tough time so they could feel enveloped by the love emanating from the quilt.
Upon completion of the first quilt, Cana Machine Quilting of Oyster Bay,New York machine quilted it for us after which Karen Gibson completed it with the binding. The second quilt was machine quilted by Marge Geary of the Evening Star Quilters of Mineola, New York. In addition Marge hand stitched the binding on this second quilt. The third quilt was sewn together, machine quilted and bound by Bobbie Keller, a quilter, a survivor of LMSand currently the “Keeper” of the quilts.
Two of the quilts have traveled all over the country and even to Canada. The very first quilt was present in Washington, DC to welcome a father who ran from the middle of the country to the nation’s capitol on behalf of his daughter who was battling the “dragon” to bring awareness to the disease.
They’ve been at Relay for Life events, golf tournaments and been on display in the Arts in Medicine studio of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa, Florida during their Sarcoma Awareness Month. In addition,they have been present at memorial services at the request of family members. The recently completed third quilt will soon join the first two in journey around the country to help raise awareness to LMS It is also hoped that sometime in the future the quilts would make their TV debut on a program like Oprah Winfrey or some other similar type program to bring more awareness to LMS
Each quilt block is made in honor of someone currently doing battle or who had lost that battle. Those who made blocks for loved ones who lost the battle have commented it has helped with the grieving process. We tried to simplify the process for making a block so that sewing knowledge is not required. Blocks can be done in any way as long as they conform to the size needed and contain some pertinent information. Instructions have been developed which include these guidelines as well as some suggestions on how to go about making a block. While some of the quilt blocks are sewn, others use fabric paint or fabric pigment pens, photo transfers, been cross stitched, etc. Any medium is acceptable. There is also available some premade blocks upon which information can be printed with a pen. The finished blocks are then incorporated into a quilt which when completed is about the size of a twin size bed.
crossed her mind--make the LMS quilt small enough to be shipped around the country to important events which could increase awareness of this "dragon." Also, the smaller size would enable it to be sent to anyone who might be nearing the end of their battle or just going through a tough time so they could feel enveloped by the love emanating from the quilt.
Upon completion of the first quilt, Cana Machine Quilting of Oyster Bay,New York machine quilted it for us after which Karen Gibson completed it with the binding. The second quilt was machine quilted by Marge Geary of the Evening Star Quilters of Mineola, New York. In addition Marge hand stitched the binding on this second quilt. The third quilt was sewn together, machine quilted and bound by Bobbie Keller, a quilter, a survivor of LMSand currently the “Keeper” of the quilts.
Two of the quilts have traveled all over the country and even to Canada. The very first quilt was present in Washington, DC to welcome a father who ran from the middle of the country to the nation’s capitol on behalf of his daughter who was battling the “dragon” to bring awareness to the disease.
They’ve been at Relay for Life events, golf tournaments and been on display in the Arts in Medicine studio of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa, Florida during their Sarcoma Awareness Month. In addition,they have been present at memorial services at the request of family members. The recently completed third quilt will soon join the first two in journey around the country to help raise awareness to LMS It is also hoped that sometime in the future the quilts would make their TV debut on a program like Oprah Winfrey or some other similar type program to bring more awareness to LMS
Each quilt block is made in honor of someone currently doing battle or who had lost that battle. Those who made blocks for loved ones who lost the battle have commented it has helped with the grieving process. We tried to simplify the process for making a block so that sewing knowledge is not required. Blocks can be done in any way as long as they conform to the size needed and contain some pertinent information. Instructions have been developed which include these guidelines as well as some suggestions on how to go about making a block. While some of the quilt blocks are sewn, others use fabric paint or fabric pigment pens, photo transfers, been cross stitched, etc. Any medium is acceptable. There is also available some premade blocks upon which information can be printed with a pen. The finished blocks are then incorporated into a quilt which when completed is about the size of a twin size bed.
