Our History

 On Christmas Eve, 1995, an article titled “Joy to the World” appeared in Parade Magazine. It was written by Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist, Eddie Adams. Part of the article featured a petite, downy haired child named Laura:

“Laura has unusual compassion for others,” Charlotte Barry-Williams of Oceanside, California, says of her daughter, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. “I guess part of the reason is that she has experienced so much pain herself.”

A special “blankie” has helped Laura, 3, get through more than two years of intensive chemotherapy. She takes it to the hospital with her when she goes for treatment. When she was first diagnosed, 97 percent of her bone marrow contained cancerous cells. Although chemotherapy has helped eradicate the cancer, she has had to endure nausea, high fevers and the loss of her hair. An allergic reaction at one point caused her to lose vital signs.

“She doesn’t understand what cancer means,” her mother says. “She’s a very joyous and happy person, very curious.” Her mother hopes Laura can start preschool next spring.

After reading the article, Karen Loucks decided to provide new handmade security blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center, and Project Linus was born.

• FIRST-Provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
• SECOND-Provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

• To maintain and exceed the current level of quality service and compassion, despite unprecedented growth, for the children and families receiving new handmade comfort across the country.
• To sustain and support the over 300 chapter coordinators, and newly formed chapters through ongoing training, communication and appreciation efforts.
• To remain responsive and grateful to an estimated 80,000 volunteers nationwide.
• To secure funding to support the general operating expenses and program services of the organization, thus providing opportunity for the fulfillment of our mission.
• To concentrate full effort and energy on the mission of Project Linus.