Teacher and Students Craft Comfort Blankets For Donor Families

Quick Smiles:

• A teacher’s gratitude inspires her students to create comfort blankets for donor families.
• Jackie Dennis cherishes a special bond with her organ donor’s family.
• Her initiative helps donor families feel the warmth and appreciation from recipients.

In a touching initiative, a special education teacher who received a double-lung transplant has found a unique way to express her gratitude. Jackie Dennis, who teaches at Huron High School in New Boston, Michigan, recently led her class in crafting comfort blankets intended for the families of organ donors.

The journey began in 2020 when Dennis’s health took a downturn shortly after giving birth during the pandemic. Her condition rapidly worsened, leading to her placement on a waiting list for a double-lung transplant.

The successful operation marked a milestone for the hospital, being their first of its kind. Following her recovery, Dennis formed a meaningful connection with the family of her donor, a young girl whose lungs saved her life.

“I’m lucky enough to have such a good relationship that I can send pictures of my daughter, I can send pictures of what my students are doing, and I get to show her the impact her daughter [the donor] has had on me—and her little sisters get to see that, and it’s so beautiful,” Dennis shared.

Last week, Dennis organized a workshop where her students diligently made comfort blankets. She envisions these blankets as tangible expressions of gratitude, offering solace to donor families who may not have direct contact with recipients.

Dennis believes these blankets can serve as “warm, comfy bridges” to help donor families understand the profound impact their loved one’s gift has had. Through this heartfelt project, Dennis and her students extend a message of appreciation and warmth, hoping to forge connections between donor families and recipients.

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