CHS Student Makes Cozy Blankets for Pediatric Patients | Video

Juli McDonald | 12/14/2011

For pediatric patients, a stay at the hospital is filled with many unknowns. There`s a lot they don`t understand and can`t control. A Bismarck teen has been donating something special to the Medcenter Children`s Hospital. It makes the biggest difference to the patients, as it`s something they get to choose.

If a fun place to be sick exists, it`s the children`s hospital at Medcenter One. But despite its beautiful design and Peter Pan theme, being at the hospital can be scary, like Nash Johnson who came in with stomach pain.

"It kind of scared me and I didn`t really want to. I always come here and it hurts my hand," said Johnson.

A Century High School senior aims to make the experience a little less scary for kids. She designs comfy, fleece blankets for them to snuggle with during their stays.

"That`s why these blankets are so neat. They really give the patient a sense of comfort. It`s like a security object for them," explained Tosha Nieuwsma, a Medcenter One nurse. "We can kind of individualize them for the patient: their favorite color, a theme they have in their room."

CHS senior Kristin Jacobchick, who makes the blankets, says the feedback from doctors, nurses and patients gives her the motivation to keep the blankets coming.

"They`re always really happy. They`re like, `Oh, my! They`re so pretty!` And they always tell us about how the kids love them and it makes them feel so much better," said Jacobchick.

Jacobchick set out to make 50 blankets for the hospital. She`s surpassed her goal and has donated close to 150.

She said, "We usually try to do 1 1/2 to two yards and I try to buy it when it`s on sale for like $5.99, but it`s usually like $12.99 a yard so it`s really expensive."

But it`s a price Jacobchick is willing to work around in order to make a special difference to sick kids.

It reminds me of my bear I used to have

Jacobchick gladly accepts fleece donations, money and gift cards for the cause. You can drop them off at Medcenter for her to pick up, or find her ad on Bismanonline.com.

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