Natomas Boy Scout Donates Hundreds of Heart-Shaped Pillows to Sutter Breast Cancer Patients | Community

Seventeen-year-old Ryan Brooks, a senior at Natomas High School, looked like Santa in September as he entered Sutter Cancer Center, Sacramento this week delivering several large bags stuffed with heart-shaped pillows for breast cancer patients. Brooks, a member of the Natomas Boy Scout Troop #238, chose Sutter’s Breast Cancer Navigation Program as the recipient of his Eagle Scout project after a member of his church mentioned the importance of the pillows.

The more than 370 handmade heart-shaped pillows that Brooks donated will provide pain relief and comfort, both physically and emotionally, to patients after their breast surgery. Mary Pare, R.N., CBCN, breast cancer navigator for Sutter Cancer Center, Sacramento and Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, said the pillows couldn’t have come at a better time.

“This was a godsend because two weeks ago we were down to only five pillows,” Pare said. “For the first time in 11 years I thought we wouldn’t have pillows to give out.”

Ryan’s mother, Tina, a paralegal in Sutter Health’s Office of the General Counsel, said both her coworkers and members of her church donated the material, stuffing and threads that were needed for the project.

“It was wonderful how everyone was just willing to help,” Tina said. “Even if you don’t have someone in your own family who has breast cancer, you hear the stories and realize how much breast cancer touches everyone.”

After spending 167 hours on this project, Brooks is now one step closer to earning his Eagle Scout award. He thanks his support team including the 25 volunteers who spent an entire day helping him cut, stuff and sew the 374 pillows together and is happy his Eagle Scout project will help bring comfort to patients.

“This makes me feel great that I know it’s going to a great cause,” Ryan said.