When Gail Cooper received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2009, she found herself overwhelmed, isolated and without the support she needed. Today, the nonprofit she founded—Baskets of Care—is filling that gap for others by delivering over 4,300 comfort bags to patients across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
After her own diagnosis, Cooper realized how crucial emotional and practical support was at the very beginning of the cancer journey. “I didn’t have anyone to talk to. No one to explain what came next,” she recalls. Determined to change that for others, she launched Baskets of Care in 2010, inspired by a similar non-profit she’d seen in Morgantown, PA.
Despite doubts from others, Cooper’s drive never wavered. “People told me it would take six months. I had it going in three weeks,” she says with pride. Drawing from her marketing background and fueled by personal resilience, she turned her experience into action.
What’s in a Journey Bag?
At the heart of Baskets of Care is the Journey Bag—a thoughtfully curated kit for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.
- “Just Get Me Through This” by Deborah Cohen
- Educational resources and “Questions to Ask Your Doctor”
- A journal and pen
- A two-year calendar and medical folio
- A heart-shaped pillow sewn by volunteers for post-surgery comfort
- A chocolate bar for a touch of sweetness
- A hand-knitted or crocheted healing shawl
- An adjustable belt for post-surgical drain tubes
“We created it based on what survivors actually needed,” Cooper explains. “It’s more than a care package—it’s a companion for the road ahead.”
Powered by Community and Compassion
Baskets of Care relies entirely on volunteers and donations. A board of directors oversees operations, while volunteers pack the bags, sew pillows and create the beloved shawls that accompany each kit. Cooper emphasizes the need for more crafters. “We always need knitters and crocheters,” she says. “I won’t send a bag without a shawl. It matters that much.”
Local hospitals and cancer centers have embraced the program, frequently requesting Journey Bags for their patients. “They’re always thrilled to receive them,” Cooper says. “They know how much it helps.”
Overcoming Challenges
Like many nonprofits, Baskets of Care faces ongoing challenges. Volunteer recruitment remains a top priority, especially for those who can sew or crochet. Additionally, because
of HIPAA privacy laws, Cooper can’t reach out to patients directly. Instead, she relies on referrals from medical offices and word of mouth. “It’s not always easy,” she admits. “But it’s always worth it.”
Spreading Hope
For Cooper, who has survived cancer and the loss of two husbands, giving back has become a powerful source of strength. Her message to newly diagnosed patients is simple but strong: “With modern medicine, breast cancer is not usually a death sentence. The sooner they find it, the better.”
How to Get Involved
Baskets of Care welcomes support through donations, event volunteers, and especially those who can knit or crochet shawls.
• Website: www.basketsofcare.org
• Phone: 419-283-9003
• Email: gailc@basketsofcare.org
• Facebook: facebook.com/BasketsOfCare
• Mailing Address: PO Box 351868, Toledo, OH 43635-1868
With every shawl and every gift, Baskets of Care delivers more than items—it delivers comfort, dignity, and a reminder that no one fights alone.
Q&A
Favorite motto/words to live by: It is what it is.
One thing you’ve crossed off your bucket list: Traveling
Favorite indulgence: Chocolate
What do you love most about your job?: giving love and support to all breast cancer patients
My typical weekend involves: Gardening, keeping house, meeting with friends
I still can’t get the hang of: Technology
