Patients model unique fashions to kick off Quilt of Dreams promotion

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC)
Wednesday, 14 May 2003

Hancock Fabrics kicked off its 2003 Quilt of Dreams promotion for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Wednesday with a special fashion show starring the children of St. Jude.

Thirteen St. Jude patients paraded up and down a catwalk in the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion modeling clothing designed from fabric patterns for the 2003 Quilt of Dreams promotion. The fabric features artwork inspired by St. Jude patients. The 20 new one-of-a-kind fabrics can be purchased at any Hancock Fabrics store nationwide. Hancock will donate 30 cents of the purchase price of each yard of fabric to help further the lifesaving work done at St. Jude.

The Martha Pullen Sewing Family produced the clothes modeled by the children. Thirteen designers lent their time and services to creating the model pieces. The children who participated in the fashion show will be featured in the July issue of Martha Pullen's Sew Beautiful magazine.

Hancock employees including Melody Good, corporate home economist and Donnie Lesley, basic fabric buyer, were on hand to unveil the new fabrics for 2003.

"Thank you Hancock Fabrics for your generous donation," said St. Jude patient Caitlin Adkins. "Your gift gives the kids at St. Jude a chance at life." Following the event, Caitlin had a coming-off-chemo party to celebrate the end of her treatment for Ewing sarcoma.

"That is what it is all about," said Hancock CEO Larry Kirk after Caitlin's speech. Kirk said that Hancock hopes to raise enough money to fund the hospital for one day, or approximately $1 million. Last year's Quilt of Dreams promotion raised more than $502,000 for the hospital.

"Maybe our day will be the day that a major discovery is made," Kirk said. "Or that a child finishes their chemotherapy treatments."

Hancock's donation was made possible by its customers, who along with Hancock employees, have shown a tremendous desire to support the work of St. Jude.

From May 15 through Aug. 4, Hancock customers who purchase the fabric will be encouraged to create a lap quilt and will receive a packet of information about the Quilt of Dreams promotion. To help quilters design their original quilts of love, a list of dreams written by the children at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be included in the information packet. The designer can use one, two or all of the dreams to produce a one-of-a-kind keepsake.

Hancock customers can also donate $1 and have their name displayed on a pinup in their local Hancock store. Or patrons may purchase a limited-edition quilter's pin for $5, with 90 percent of the purchase price of each pin going to the hospital. All Hancock Fabrics stores nationwide will participate in the Quilt of Dreams promotion.

Hancock customers and employees who have designed quilts for the Quilt of Dreams contest may enter them at their local Hancock Fabrics store, where they will be judged for originality and best use of theme. The winners from each district will have their quilts displayed during a quilt show in Tupelo, Miss., in September. All quilts will be given to patients or used by St. Jude for fund-raising purposes with all monies raised going to support the hospital's lifesaving work.

For more information, or to contact St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC), see their website at: www.stjude.org