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BLANKET PROJECT BRINGS WARMTH TO TRANSPLANT PATIENTS
Rochester , NY (March 24, 2008) – Transplant liver recipients Matthew Polisseni of Caledonia and Eugene Daggett of Cazenovia along with heart candidate James Terwilliger of Homer , Shirley Newman, kidney recipient of Fairport and her donor, were the first at Strong Memorial Hospital to each receive a fleece blanket made by members of Transplant Awareness Organization of Greater Rochester (TAO) for the Transplant Blanket Donation Project.
Presenting the blankets were Debbie Yendrzeski of Fairport, TAO board member along with George and Maria Fiorille of Moravia founders of the Blanket Project. “ TAO is very glad to be able to continue this project and help Maria achieve her goal” states Yendrzeski. “The patients are very moved by receiving their blanket.”
The Transplant Blanket Donation Project was founded in memory of Sharon Fiorille who received two liver transplants. It was during her last surgery that her daughter, Maria, made a fleece blanket that gave her the “little piece of home” that she longed for. “She loved the blanket and took it everywhere she went in the hospital,” recalls Maria. “After my Mother passed away, it was brought to my attention that some patients are awaiting organs or recovering from transplant with no family or loved ones at their side. In my Mother’s memory I started this project to help bring a smile to their faces.”
TAO is a nonprofit organization that offers support, understanding, education and resources for transplant recipients, candidates and their families. For more information about TAO and the blanket project, call 1-800- 664-1463 or visit www.TAO-Rochester.org.
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