LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — What began with one nurse bringing just a few blankets in for sufferers has grown into a complete program reaching different areas and departments of McLaren Better Lansing.
Christina Zimmerman began “For the Love of Blankets” and has not appeared again since, protecting blankets stocked in a bin on the fifth ground of the hospital.
“For the Love of Blankets” (McLaren Better Lansing)
“I noticed our patients were cold and being in a hospital can often be scary or uncomfortable for them,” mentioned Zimmerman. “I saw an opportunity to make a positive impact, even a small one, and started to purchase a few fleece blankets to spread some warmth to patients that needed it, and it took off from there.”
Final 12 months, Zimmerman acquired a grant that allowed her to broaden to different flooring and areas of the hospital. “For the Love of Blankets” was even the main focus of the McLaren Better Lansing Basis’s 2024 Day of Giving.
Funding from two of these donors allowed this system to additionally present blankets to the senior behavioral well being unit of the hospital and the Karmanos Most cancers Institute.
“As a psychiatrist myself, behavioral health is very dear to my heart,” mentioned Dr. Linda Peterson, chief medical officer at McLaren Better Lansing, who offered the funding for the senior behavioral well being unit. “Our patients have a special need of care when they come to us, and this is also a small way that I can show my appreciation to our staff as well to provide them with something that can brighten up a patient’s day.”
McLaren Better Lansing board member Ralph Shaheen donated the funding for Karmanos Most cancers Institute’s blankets.
“I’m so proud to see ‘For the Love of Blankets’ continue to grow and appreciate the support I have received,” mentioned Zimmerman. “Through spreading warmth and comfort, we hope to help our patients be able to focus on healing and feeling better.”
