Last night Iw as driving to Connecticut from my home in Massachusettes. While sitting in traffic I glanced down and noticed the odometer, I don't look at it very often because I don't drive very much.

28,382

I think I noticed it because I realized that I missed 28282.

I know exactly where I was 28,382 miles ago.

I know what I was doing

I know what I was thinking

I remember the phone call.

I remember the fear on my sisters face.

I remember the fear in my sisters voice.

But THAT was 28,382.

Now I measure life in new miles.

The miles I run training to run my first 10K.

The Miles I drive to see Patrick so that he can tell me about school.

The miles that I ride to train for bike rides to spread awareness and funds for cancer research.

The miles of yarn that I knit to create hats for children in need.

The Miles that walk to train to raise funds for Dana Farber Cancer institute.

We no longer measure life in fear. We measure life in the steps that we take forward. In the miles that we travel to ensure that doctors and researchers have the funds that they need to find the right treatments.

I head out for my training ride today with THIS picture on my mind...

.. Tomorrow our Patrick James starts kindergarten!!!!

This time three years ago he was giving his mom quite a scare trying to figure out why her typically mild mannered 2 year old was acting up. He was inconsolable, vomiting, and so tired.

Three years ago, the roller coaster ride began.. Now we set out in a new adventure. School! Friends! New teachers!

Good luck at school tomorrow Patrick. All of your friends here love you!

Recently someone mentioned that my hair looked nice since I was growing it out. I mentioned to him that I was growing out my hair so that I could donate it for wigs for people going through cancer.

He commented "you do that sort of thing a lot don't you?"

I shrugged because, yeah. . . I sort of do.

People frequently comment on the events where I participate . "WOW, you do so much!" "You must be exhausted" but I never know how to respond when people ask "Why do you do all of these events?" It's a difficult question. My stock answer has always been "Because I can."

The other day I said that, and for some reason it sounded conceited. I know it's not conceited, I know that any time I have said that same phrase, people knew exactly what I meant. But recent events, recent books that I have read, recent time spent in my brain. . . . to me it just sounded conceited and rude.

Today I was responding to a questionnaire about my upcoming Jimmy fund Marathon Walk

They asked me why I am participating in the walk, and I replied

Because I can't cure Cancer. I can't cure cancer so I will continue to participate in these walks so that I can support the researchers that CAN.

Because I can't  write a large check, I will continue to participate in these events so that

Because I couldn't  be there to make my nephew laugh during his treatment, I will continue to spread warmth to other children by knitting hats.

Because I can't take away the pain when someone has to say goodbye to someone they love, I will continue ride in the Dempsey challenge.

Because I can't sit back and do nothing.

Today our friend from Emmy's Heart posted this picture on Facebook

Do you know what this means!!!!!

it means that a wonderful child has a new hat!.

Laura found this at Joe DiMaggios's Children's Hospital . She mentioned that the kids LOVE the hats because it is chilly on the oncology floor.

I am so excited to send more hats down to these wonderful children.

Keep those hooks and needles moving.

As you know, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Our challenge is to donate 1,000 hats in the month of September.

Just a reminder.
PatPat's Hats accepts WASHABLE hats for children of all ages. We accept Preemie to teen sized hats. If you are purchasing hats, the hats have to be new.

If you are looking for patterns, we have a bunch on our Pinterest boards.

Knitting Patterns

Crochet Patterns

Sewing Patterns


Once your hats are completed, you can mail them to:
PatPat's Hats
P.O. Box 318
Westbrook, CT 06498

We know there are a number of people out there that don't have the ability to make or purchase hats. Well, there are a LOT of other things that we can use.

1. Zip Lock Bags (quart and gallon size)
2. Gift certificates to Walmart, Ocean State Job Lot, or Target (we frequently need bins for storing hats, or we can purchase new bins)
3. Gift certificates to Michaels or AC Moore (we have a number of people that would like to make hats, but they do not have the resources to purchase their own yarn. AC Moore and Michaels have great deals on yarn and supplies)
4. If you would like to sponsor a donation to a specific organization, please reach out to Aunt Betsy directly. Our biggest expense is likely shipping of hats to specific organizations. Sometimes, it can cost about $50. If we have someone that would sponsor a donation, it would be incredible.

If you are considering sending us funds, please reach out to Aunt Betsy directly. As we do not have a bank account, we cannot accept checks made out to PatPat's Hats.


We are so blessed with what we have been given. We have been given all of you, people that can help us spread warmth to children in need.

When I first started collecting hats in 2011, I would never have believed that I would still be doing this in 2014. I wouldn't change it for the world.

August started out with incredible things in our family. 

We are forever grateful for the incredible teachers and therapists at the Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center  for all they have done for Patrick during preschool. He has blossomed into a smart, funny and imaginative little boy who continues to be the light of our lives. 

Patrick heads to Kindergarten in September. he pretty much thinks he is going to kindergarten tomorrow. . . mommy had to create a countdown chain for him. 

Many of you already know that Aunt Jen is a Special Education Administrator. Jen earned her teaching license in East LosAngeles. Jen made an incredible impression on the students she taught, many of whom where the first in their families to graduate middle school. 

When she moved back east, she continued her career in the Boston area. Her first priority has always been her students and ensuring that they had all of the tools that they need to succeed. 

This week, Jen starts her own education journey. She begins the process of earning her phD in education so that she can ensure that teachers continue to make an incredible impact on their students. 

In September, Aunt Betsy and Nana will participate in 3 fundraising events. 

Once again they will be a part of the Sweep team for the Closer to Free Ride.  We will be along side all of the riders, just like all of the nurses, doctors, and child life staff were beside Patrick during his treatment. 

After that event, we head to walk the Jimmy Fund walk. This event follows the Boston Marathon route. We are so excited to be able to participate in this event together, and with one of our closest friends. 

Then, we head BACK to Maine for the Dempsey Challenge!!  For this event, we will Run AND ride (oh, and we get to see the OTHER patrick. . )

(anyone that wants to help us reach our fundraising goals, those links head to our fundraising pages. . . Just throwing that out there) 

Gigi and Buppa were so excited to be able to surprise Patrick at his graduation. They are currently anxiously awaiting ALL of your hat donations (more details on our next challenge to come soon. 

Our family is so incredibly thankful for everything that we have been given. We thank you all for your support.