Alyce Weidner: Crafting Comfort for Cancer Patients

When a cancer patient opens their Care Package and pulls out its contents, many exclaim over the lovely, knitted hats, which they can use during their treatments in chilly infusion centers. The centers are purposely kept cool to limit bacterial growth and to prevent the spread of viruses and diseases, which could be dangerous to those with compromised immune systems.

Chances are some of those hats were knitted by Alyce Weidner and her dedicated group of crocheting friends, a group she started in 2018 to make hats for babies at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hobart, Indiana.

“I believe God gave me certain talents ad it’s my job to honor him using those talents for the good of others,” Alyce, 66, said. “Helping others is my mission in life!”

Then Alyce learned about Phil’s Friends in 2022 from a Facebook post asking for donations of knitted hats. “I brought it up to my group, and we agreed we could help out.”

The group got to work, and Alyce dropped off that first batch of hats.

“I loved the place from the moment I walked in the first time,” Alyce recalled. “The volunteers there were so warm and welcoming. I just wanted to do more to help!”

And she has.

Since that first drop off in 2022, Alyce and her group have knitted hundreds of hats, blankets, crosses, worry worms, and port pillows for the cancer patients Phil’s Friends serves.

In fact, Alyce shared that her connection to cancer is the reason behind her dedication to Phil’s Friends. “Cancer is very personal to me,” she said. “My immediate family is all gone from cancer.”

Her family’s history with cancer drew interest from researchers at Bethesda Hospital in Maryland. Due to the prevalence of cancer among her relatives, 50-plus members participated in a genetic study. The cancer gene discovered in a majority of her family was eventually named after the doctor who discovered it—Lynch Syndrome for the MSH2 gene prevalent in colon, endometrial, and pancreatic cancers.

This particular gene was not discovered in Alyce, however. “I am one of three that doesn’t have this certain gene that causes breast, colon, and cervical cancer,” she said.

Not having this gene has, in God’s providence, allowed Alyce to enjoy a long life of faithfully fulfill her calling to serve others with the gifts he’s given her.

And serve Alyce has!

As an empty-nester—Alyce and her husband’s two grown children live far away—Alyce also attends the card- and journal-making events at the Crown Point Hope Center. She also colors Cards of Hope at home.

She and her husband also run a food pantry through their church in Portage, Indiana, and for the past 17 years she has faithfully volunteered each week at St. Mary’s Hospital.

“I love God and people,” Alyce said. “I know that I am here for a reason. I believe it is to help others. We have been given many blessings, and we feel we must pass it on. Whatever I can do to help others I will try my best to do.”

Alyce epitomizes Colossians 3:17a, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

“When I see a Thank You note on Facebook that mentions how much the worry worm or cross, or see a hat that I know we made, it confirms my commitment to continue doing what I can, to make a life a little nicer,” Alyce said. “I hope that what we do brings a smile to someone’s face, to let them know that someone thought enough of them to hand make a blanket or hat for them, or to color a card to cheer them up. I hope it brings hope, peace, and love to them!”