Quest Embraces Charlie’s Caps

April 7, 2009 at 1:47 am · Filed under Sponsors & Supporters

When a friend or loved one is suffering from cancer, it’s the small acts of kindness that make the biggest difference. Things like visiting the hospital, calling just to say hello or cooking up a nice meal and watching a movie can provide them with a special healing treatment that no doctor could match.

For Janet Smith, the creation of Charlie’s Caps was that special act of kindness and healing touch for her father Charlie, who recently lost a battle with cancer. It was while she spent countless hours in the hospital that the idea to knit the caps was born, as she found a perfect way to solve the conundrum of Charlie’s constant wish to wear a hat that would keep his head warm.

So Jan did what any unselfish daughter would do – she started knitting him a hat. When it was finally completed, she realized it not only helped mend the holes in her heart, it would be a great way for her to mend the hearts of others as well.

You see, Charlie’s Caps are special because, just like you and me, no two caps are the same. Different colors, patterns and features create a totally personalized cap that comes complete with a gift tag that can be hand-written by the giver to the patient.

Thanks to Janet’s hard work, Charlie’s Caps have turned out to be a healing and grieving tool for the family, a means to reconnect with their nurses and doctors and a way to keep their loved one’s memory “alive” while helping someone else. The caps also keep heads warm in the hospital setting, nearly 1,000 cancer patients, young and old alike, to be exact. From Chicago to New Mexico to right here in Colorado, Janet’s unique crocheted hats have helped cancer patients in the hockey community (including the Hyland Hills Jaguars) cope with things. 

Probably the most touching part to Jan’s story is that during the three-month period of time Charlie actually wore the first-ever cap while hospitalized, one of the last caring gestures the nurses were able to do for him was to adjust his cap, which helped him stay warm. It was a special, lingering moment that has resonated in Jan’s mind forever.

Jan has honored Charlie by donating sets of caps to cancer units, hospice facilities and nursing homes all over the Nation. And now we are proud to say that Charlie’s Caps will be available in our second-annual Quest for the Crown silent auction. Charlie played ice hockey in high school and Janet’s son plays as well, so our event became a great way for us to help Janet honor her father, Charlie.

A set of caps will also be given to the team that wins the Five$ for the Fight campaign, as each player will get to donate a cap to the cancer patient of their choice.

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