'Hope Scarves' bring joy, optimism to UPMC cancer patients
In the crowded lobby of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center on Tuesday, Lara MacGregor, founder of Hope Scarves, stepped to the microphone and told a story of friendship.
During a trip to a cancer conference in 2009, MacGregor was taking a moment in the lobby of her hotel. She felt overwhelmed by the prevalence of cancer. At that moment, she overheard a cacophony of laughter.
The laughter came from Roberta Szpara and her best friend, Jennifer Haberman.
Szpara and MacGregor discussed their recent diagnoses. Szpara mentioned the wig she was wearing scratched against her scalp.
“Can I give you some scarves?” MacGregor asked immediately. A few moments later she returned with the scarf she had gotten from a survivor when she started her treatment.
In that moment, the idea for Hope Scarves was born. The program has given 14,000 scarves to cancer patients in all 50 states and 24 countries.
Each package that Hope Scarves sends out contains a scarf and a note from a survivor. In a segment of Szpara’s note she wrote, “My hope was my son. He had just turned 1 when I received my diagnosis. He still needed to be changed, fed, and loved.
“I had good days and bad days, but he loved me unconditionally. He didn’t care that I was bald, he really liked to wear my hats.”
In the closing of her note she wrote, “I’m sending you all gentle hugs and courage.”
Szpara’s family raised more than $3,000 to donate more than 100 scarves to cancer patients at UPMC Hillman and at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital.
Upon hearing the presentation by MacGregor and others, UPMC Hillman matched the family’s donation of $3,000.
“I know talking to many of you that my experience with Roberta is one of many. I am not unique in feeling the love, laughter and joy that she shared with me,” MacGregor said.
Szpara and MacGregor were diagnosed with breast cancer in their early 30s.
Szpara died Sept. 22, leaving behind her husband, Brandon, son Evan John, and twin daughters, Brynn Hope and Blake Rose. She was 42.
Nate Smallwood is a Tribune-Review photographer. You can contact Nate via Twitter .
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