A charitable initiative providing free essential items for patients seeking treatment at Knysna Provincial and George Regional Hospitals, and care facilities in the Garden Route, South Africa. Every Care Bag is packed with careful consideration for the needs of the patients. Our hope is that every recipient will experience some comfort and that dignity is maintained.
In November 2020, Linda Wambach was the recipient of a care package. Linda was admitted through emergencies at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, where she was receiving treatment for cancer. Having absolutely nothing with her at the time, a nurse handed over a care package on the morning after admission. The contents of the bag were items that were desperately needed. This gesture touched Linda deeply and she knew that, upon returning home to Knysna and in good health, she wanted to contribute in some way towards blessing others in the same way that she had been blessed. She shared this story with a few dear friends, and they put together the first 10 essential Care Bag’s which were delivered to George Hospital. This was how The Care Bags Made with Love Initiative came about.
Care Bag's Made With Love is a volunteer-based initiative and 100% of donations go to patients in need. Our Care Bag community is vital to ensuring that we meet the ever growing demand for essential and comfort items for patients in our local hospitals and care facilities. Since 2021, we have been blessed with a phenomenal community of like-minded members, each with their own personal reasons for being a part of what we do.
Interested in getting involved? Here are some ways in which you can help: knit/crochet comfort items; sew comfort items; donate toiletries, yarn, and fabric; or sponsor a special project. Please contact us to find out more.
Care bag's
donated
Chemo Care Bag's: Drawstring bag, facecloth, tissues, Vaseline, facemask, snacks/sweets, beanie, bedsocks, mittens, scarf, blanket, drainage bag holder, notebook & pen, worry worm, comforting message
Mastectomy Care Bag's: Drawstring bag, facecloth, soap, Vaseline, snacks/sweets, beanie, bedsocks, drainage bag holder, mastectomy pillow, notebook & pen, worry worm, comforting message
Transport Essentials: Drawstring bag, facecloth, soap, tissues, Vaseline, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, snacks/sweets, underwear, beanie, bedsocks, blanket, notebook & pen, worry worm, comforting message
Cervical Cancer Care Bag's: Drawstring bag, facecloth, glycerine soap, tissues, Vaseline, sanitary pads, snack/sweets, underwear, beanie, bedsocks, blanket, pouch, course salt, notebook & pen, worry worm, comforting message
Infant Comfort Care Bag's: Drawstring bag/Ziploc, facecloth, soap/Vaseline, nappies, knitted clothing, blanket, teddy bear/toy, comforting message
Children Comfort Bag's: Drawstring bag/Ziploc, soap bag/facecloth, soap, snack/sweets, beanie, bedsocks/scarf/mittens, activity pack/toy, comforting message
Teen Girl Comfort Bag's: Drawstring bag/Ziploc, soap bag/facecloth, soap, snacks/sweets, beanie, bedsocks/scarf/mittens, activity pack/toy, sanitary pads, pouch, underwear, comforting message
Teen Boy Comfort Bag's: Drawstring bag/Ziploc, soap bag/facecloth, soap, snack/sweets, beanie, bedsocks/scarf/mittens, activity pack/toy, hair comb, sleep shorts, comforting message
Ladies Comfort Care Bag's: Drawstring bag/Ziploc, facecloth, soap, hair comb, snack/sweets, beanie, bedsocks/shawl/mittens, worry worm, comforting message
Men's Comfort Care Bag's: Drawstring bag/Ziploc, soap bag, soap, hair comb, snack/sweets, beanie, bedsocks/scarf/mittens, worry worm, comforting message
Ladies Mini Comfort Bag's: Ziploc bag, pocket tissues, beanie, sweets, worry worm, comforting message
Men's Mini Comfort Bag's: Ziploc bag, beanie, sweets, roll-on deodorant, worry worm, comforting message
Single Comfort Care Bag's: Blankets and gently worn clothing items are individually packaged into sizes, and gifted at the discretion of nurses based on patient needs.
Dignity Comfort Bag's: Ziploc bag, facecloth, soap, pocket tissues, Vaseline/Zam-Buk, toothpaste, toothbrush, roll-on deodorant, comforting message
Children Dental Pack: Ziploc bag, toothpaste, toothbrush
Victim Support Care Bag's: Ziploc bag, facecloth, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush
In February 2024, Knysna Hospital brought to our attention the terrible state of the sleeper couches and the need for waterproof pillows in the Paediatrics ward. Thanks to a private donor, Care Bags was able to initiate and facilitate this special project to reupholster 16 sleeper couches with a waterproof durable fabric and supply 16 waterproof pillows. This has made a considerable difference not only to the upliftment of the ward but also for patients and parents staying in the ward, and a deep sense of pride amongst nursing staff.
A small gesture can make a difference in a person’s life, especially when one is vulnerable.
We receive regular feedback from nursing staff on our Care Bag's, including photographs of patients, and here are a few of the messages expressing gratitude:
"The ouma stared at hers in gratitude for so long... as if the first gift in many years... was so sweet."
"Male ward patients very happy for the gift bags. Happy new year to all of you lovely kind hearted people."
"Going to a shelter and has nothing, so one very happy lady this morning, so thankful for your blessings."
"This little one is a social case and you should see him parade with his new things, the appreciation is sky high. The joy you bring is absolutely amazing."
Care Bag’s are delivered periodically, as arranged with the respective organisation. We respect the privacy of patients and recipients, and deliveries are made with this in mind. Care Bag's are handed out by nurses and care facilitators at their own discretion.
Yes, we welcome all contributions. Please request a link to join our Facebook community group of crafters. Alternatively, message us for pattern ideas.
No, we are not a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) and rely solely on donations from the public.
Yes, we do have a bank account. Please contact us should you wish to make a cash donation. Alternatively, you can contact us for a list of suppliers and we accept digital vouchers to Clicks, Dischem and Pick n Pay.
No. We accept all toiletry brands. Glycerine and fragrance free products are preferred for our cancer Care Bags.
Yes. Certain items can cause harm including, but not limited to, razor blades, pencil sharpeners, batteries, and toys that pose a choking hazard for infants and children. These items must be packaged separately with a warning label for hospital staff to oversee.
Handmade items provide much needed comfort and warmth to patients. Here's a list of suggested knitting, crochet and sewing projects for those crafty volunteers.
Every Care Bag is packed with careful consideration for the needs of the patients. Our hope is that recipients will experience comfort and that dignity is maintained.
Get your friends and family involved by packing Dignity Packs containing essential toiletries. Download the checklist and instructions to get started at home.
We say a prayer for recipients, and for a member of our Care Bag community, that God will give them the strength they need to get through their treatment.
Care Bag's include a comforting bible verse in three languages, to offer hope and to remind patients that they are not alone in their journey to recovery.
Crochet Worry Worms provide patients with sensory soothing to reduce anxiety. Please see Handmade Projects for the pattern and attach the printable poem.