teens

(continued on page 17)

cared about the underdog. That's
mitzvah projects, also."
Lauren, also," notes Diane.
Chemo Caps has been a healing
act for Lauren's family. Her grand- With so much community enthu-
mother, Selma Bremen, loves taking siasm for Chemo Caps, Lauren plans
yarn to the knit stores for them to to continue her project well after her
give to knitters. "It's heartwarming to bat mitzvah. "People are not going to
stop making hats, and I don't want to
her, because we never did anything
stop, either," she says. "It's knowing
after Marlene died. Our mourning
that I'm giving to people less fortu-
was very private," says Diane. She
nate than me, and it's a good feel-
talks to Lauren and her brothers,
ing."
Adam 10, and Jason, 7, often about
If you would like to knit hats or donate
what a special person Marlene was.
yarn to Chemo Caps,e-mail Lauren
"Marlene was very sweet and sensi-
Mondry at laurenschemocaps@aol.com .
tive, creative and artistic, and always

Lauren Weaves
a Wide Web of Support

atricia Fadell, director of clinical volunteers and support pro-
-urams
for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and
-1-
—
Children's Hospital, has had the privilege of working with Lauren.
She never realized how big this program would become. "We do get
donations, but not as many as she has mustered," said Fadell. "We
usually work with volunteers older than age 14, but I didn't want to
turn her away. It's always better to start volunteering early." She
added, "It's a phenomenal project. It's bringing in many clubs and
organizations and also encouraging students through the schools. It's
opening up a whole gamut that hasn't been tapped yet. The project
shows the cancer patients that someone who doesn't even know
them cares about them that much to help."
Fifth-graders at Northwest Elementary School in Jackson, Mich.
have made 50 hats. They heard about this project on the news and
decided to help.
Guys and Gals, a clothing store in the Orchard Mall in West
Bloomfield has also been involved with this project. Owner Lois
Levenson explained, "Lauren approached us about the idea. I think it
is a very clever Mitzvah project and we try to help the community in
any way we can. We have printed flyers to put in our customers' bags to
promote this fabulous project. Lauren's commitment says a lot about
her.
The residents of Baldwin House, a senior citizen complex in
Birmingham, have knitted about 30 caps and 4 lap blankets since
they began about a month ago. "It is a wonderful thing she's doing; it
has inspired us," said activity director Karen Briefly.
"We found out about the project from Phyllis Foresman, an eight-
year resident of Baldwin House, who works at Right Off the Sheep, a
knitting store in Birmingham."
Said Foresman, "One woman included a note with each cap that
said, 'This cap was knitted with love and with hope that you will feel
better.' The project has really snowballed."
Lauren's mother, Diane Mondry, explained that she heard that
two women were discussing her daughter's project at a Walgreen
store in Traverse City. They contacted the Mondrys, as well as vari-
ous church groups, and have been assisting in the making of the
caps. She says this project is spreading across the country.
"I am overwhelmed and surprised at the response of people will-
ing to help," said Lauren.
— Lisa Fein

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Photography by Beth Singer

STYLE AT THE ;IN • FEBRUARY 2003 •

19