Representatives from Premier Subaru in Branford donated 80 plush blankets to Smilow Cancer Hospital to be gifted to patients as part of the Subaru Loves to Care program and its partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).
The soft blue blankets arrived in a heart-shaped carriers containing messages of support and hope from the car company, its customers, and employees. The blankets were delivered to NP7 at Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven and will be given to patients. A team from Smilow, including registered nurses and representatives from Patient Services, met June 16 with Premier representatives in the Healing Garden to accept the blankets.
“This is about the community and Subaru’s motto, called the Love Promise. We’re not just a car dealer. We’re here to support the people who support our community and our customers. We’re here for people who need help,” says Richard Marino, general sales manager at Premier. “We support many causes like this. We donate to Camp Rising Sun (a summer camp in Colebrook for kids with cancer and their siblings). It’s all part of (president and general manager) Bob Alvine’s commitment to the community.”
Among those representing Smilow were Sandra Morgan, RN, Rosalee Williamson of Smilow Patient Services, Sandra Marshall-Wray, RN, Veronica Wilkins, RN, and Tracy Carafeno, RN, MS, CNML, executive director, Smilow Patient Services.
This marks the 10th consecutive June that Subaru has partnered with the LLS and local hospitals to wrap cancer patients in warmth. The partnership has resulted in nearly a half-billion patients across the country receiving blankets and messages of hope.