A life-changing diagnosis for Katja Wood helped launch Hope Scarves, a new program meant to wrap oncology patients with love and encouragement, at Aurora West Allis Medical Center.
Five days in 2010 changed Katja’s life forever. On Sept. 23, she discovered a lump in her breast while taking a shower. The next day, she met with an Aurora Health Care nurse practitioner and shakenly talked about the next steps. Three days later, she had a mammogram and ultrasound, after which the radiologist compassionately delivered the gut-wrenching results.
“The radiologist was extremely empathetic, but also very direct,” Katja explains. “He apologized for having to deliver this news, but was highly confident it was cancer, and recommended I do a biopsy right away.”
The biopsy confirmed it – Katja had breast cancer.
Katja received cancer treatment at Aurora Health Care Women’s Pavilion in West Allis, Wis., where she felt the warmth and spirit of connectedness – she knew all the nurses by name, and they all knew her.
“I started having my first chemo treatment three weeks after I discovered the lump,” Katja says. “There was a sense of urgency, but I didn’t feel rushed. It was all very disciplined, vetted and supported by all the needed tests and there wasn’t any lagging in time. During my various oncology treatments, I met another patient, and we became “chemo buddies” and eased our fears together. That experience was genuinely indescribable.”
Although Katja didn’t have any lymph nodes removed or radiation, a lumpectomy wasn’t able to remove all the abnormal tissue, so she underwent a mastectomy with reconstructive surgery.
“I always say if we were to compare my cancer process to a triathlon, I skipped the run, but did the swim twice,” Katja jokes. “And through my entire ordeal, all I could think about was how could I get involved to help women like me feel supported and uplifted during such a scary time. I wanted to help, and I knew Hope Scarves would be a natural fit.”
Thanks to an already-established partnership between Katja’s employer, Milwaukee-based Retail Space Solutions, and Hope Scarves, she was one step closer to bringing her dream to fruition. Hope Scarves, an international non-profit organization, was founded in 2012 by Lara MacGregor, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30 while seven months pregnant with her second child. During treatment, she received a box of scarves from a friend with a note that read “You can do this!” After she completed treatment and her hair grew back, Lara wanted to return the scarves, but her friend asked her to pay it forward instead. And just like that – Hope Scarves was born.
Last year, Retail Space Solutions was invited to Hope Scarves' main fundraiser in Louisville called Colors of Courage. Katja invited Laurie Dlouhy, Aurora Health Cancer Care Coordinator, who is one of her best friends and provided a lot of support for her during treatment, to join her.
“At the event, we went to the studio where we met the Hope Scarves staff, saw the library of scarves and talked about how we might expand the program in our hometown,” Katja says. “We were inspired to help cancer patients right in our backyard.”
During the 7-hour ride back to Milwaukee, Katja and Laurie excitedly strategized about a possible partnership between Retail Space Solutions, Hope Scarves and Aurora Health Care. Nine months later, Katja’s dream to provide comfort to oncology patients has become a reality.
“The setup is through my employer, Retail Space Solutions,” Katja explains. “We do all the fundraising and scarf drives where we collect Hope Scarves, which we donate to the Aurora Women’s Pavilion. The reason we chose the Women’s Pavilion is three-fold. First, it has one of the highest numbers of cancer patients. Second, it’s for women – a core focus of the Hope Scarves organization. And I also received my cancer treatment there, and that’s where the story comes full circle.”
Katja believes receiving a Hope Scarf can provide comfort to cancer patients.
“Everyone deals with their cancer diagnosis, the ups and downs of treatment and the emotions that come with it, differently,” she says. “Not everyone is in a situation where they have a strong emotional network and must lean on their own strength. A Hope Scarf offers faith and courage during treatment, and I want women to experience being loved by someone they do not know but who cares about them.”
Katja also feels there's tremendous energy in a Hope Scarf.
“What makes the scarf special is the story that comes with it,” she says. “Attached to each scarf is a note from a cancer survivor with their name, age, cancer diagnosis, and how they coped and fought to beat it. Having something tangible, like a scarf you can hold on to or wear as your power scarf, coupled with details from another’s cancer experience, is magical. Those words of hope make it so meaningful.”
Chelsey Bortmann, the first patient to receive a Hope Scarf at the Women’s Pavilion, is grateful beyond measure.
“This program is about more than simply getting a scarf,” Chelsey says. “It’s a reminder that I can do this. I can beat this. During the hard days, I’ll pull it out to rev up my courage and remember the strength of others who fought this same fight before me, and made it to the other side.”
The second scarf recipient, Jennifer Johnston, believes Hope Scarves’ mission is an opportunity to recognize not only current cancer patients but also those of the past.
“I’m going to wear this scarf for many people,” Johnston explains. “Those before me and those still to come. This is truly special, and I really appreciate it.”
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