WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Hand-made quilts up for auction in Lynchburg to benefit cancer patients
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Seventy-five quilted items will be up for auction November 7th with the proceeds benefiting the Centra Hospice House.
Each of the quilts has a story to tell. Most were created in memory or in honor of someone with cancer.
Woven in Terri Layne's quilt are memories of her father and mother. You'll also find reflections of a teenager she teaches dance to, who is now a brain cancer survivor.
"It is truly healing to do this," said Layne.
This labor of love started four years ago and grew out of a need to do something to help those impacted by cancer. They call it the Rainbow of Hope fundraiser.
"Knowing we couldn't cure cancer we thought we've got to raise money for somebody. What can we do? Who helps these patients? Who comforts them through their worst times," said Tamera Ehlinger, owner of Quilted Expressions.
It was unanimous that the Centra Hospice House should benefit from the auctioning of the quilts and other handmade designs.
"The last time she said I love you was in the hospice house," said Laura Howard.
Howard still remembers what the house meant for her mother who lost her battle with lung cancer.
"It was a warm house. It felt like a home even though it wasn't our home."
It's those stories that make it all worth it for Ehlinger.
Her quilt is made out of more than 4-thousand pieces for the many people at her church impacted by cancer.
This year she had a hard time picking just one.
How much is she hoping for her masterpiece?
"About a million dollars is what I'm hoping for," said Ehlinger with a laugh.
She knows the sky is the limit with the Rainbow of Hope Fundraiser because you can't put a price tag on the amount of love that went into each of these pieces.
You can preview the quilts this weekend at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital at the times listed.
Friday October 23rd until 7pm
Saturday October 24th 9am-7pm
Sunday October 25th 2-6pm
The auction is November 7th at 7pm at Mountain View United Methodist Church on route 221 in Forest. There will also be a dinner starting at 5pm.
For information call 434-385-6765 or click here to take a look at the quilts.
Over the years, the Rainbow of Hope Fundraiser has raised nearly 80-thousand dollars.
