Every Malouf ‘comfort kit’ for breast cancer patients contains a handwritten note.
Sleep accessories supplier Malouf, with headquarters in Logan, Utah, has expanded its “comfort kit” initiative for breast cancer patients. This year, Malouf employees and community members assembled 1,500 goodie-filled gift boxes for distribution to every newly diagnosed breast cancer patient in Utah.
Every kit contained a Malouf pillow, pure lavender oil spray from Health Fusion, Lazy One pajamas, Altra socks, a meal from Modern Table and a Reminderband bracelet.
“The crown jewel of the kits is a handwritten letter offering words of hope to the recipient,” said project organizer Jake Neeley, Malouf’s marketing communications director. “It is an incredibly rewarding project to be a part of. We have an awesome group of highly engaged people who selflessly give their time, money and effort to help those diagnosed with breast cancer in our area. It’s inspiring to see this come to fruition and know that by offering our support, we can offer hope to someone who’s just been delivered difficult news.”
The comfort kit initiative was initially conceived in October 2014 by Neeley and Chief Executive Officer Sam Malouf, shortly after Neeley’s aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Erin Neal, of Stone, Idaho, received a Malouf Comfort Kit after her diagnosis at Logan Regional Hospital in the fall. Although her diagnosis came very unexpectedly, she said receiving the kit helped: “Getting that box was a great distraction from everything that was going through my mind … (and) a great reminder that I was a person, not just a patient. When you feel sick, little comforts like a nice pillow or a comfy nightshirt make a huge difference in your outlook.”
“The whole purpose of the Malouf Comfort Kit is to offer hope and comfort so, although it takes a tremendous amount of time and effort, we decided early on to include a handwritten note,” Neeley said. “I will never forget the picture in my mind of many people sitting next to each other writing words straight from the heart to people they don’t even know. It inspires me to do more.”
Malouf plans to expand the initiative by involving its mattress and furniture retailer network. Those wanting to get involved in the project can contact Neeley at jake@maloufsleep.com. For details, visit http://comfortkit.org.
