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On June 1, Presbyterian Hospital brought the vision of several staff members and a former patient to life when a quilt, measuring 13 by 8 feet, was dedicated and placed on permanent display in the Presbyterian Cancer Center.

Named the "Quilt of Celebration and Hope," it was dedicated to all those affected by cancer, with each square created in memory or celebration of someone touched by the disease. Phyllis Tarrant, an ovarian cancer survivor, gave Presbyterian Cancer Center staff the idea and inspiration for the quilt. Instead of keeping a diary as many people recommended during her treatment, Tarrant chose to express her emotions by constructing a quilt.

"It was an amazing and beautiful way to express and preserve the emotions Phyllis coped with during her treatment," said Barbara Lipira, executive director for the Presbyterian Cancer Center. "Each square has special meaning. One even depicts her journey as she experienced the various stages of hair loss and regrowth, as a result of chemotherapy."

Using a similar concept to Tarrant's quilt, Presbyterian Hospital provided quilt squares at the 100th Anniversary Celebration in April 2003. Event-goers were encouraged to create a square in memory or celebration of a loved one affected by cancer. The quilt squares were also offered to Presbyterian Hospital employees as part of a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation during fall 2003.

To prepare for the 100th anniversary celebration, Tarrant cut hundreds of fabric squares in different colors and sizes. Once all the squares were returned with their special messages inscribed, she helped lay out the squares and sew them together before a professional quilter finished the piece.

"Phyllis's dedication to this project and the inspired messages we received from our community and employees came together to create a remarkable tribute to those affected by cancer," Lipira said.

During the dedication ceremony, Tarrant was honored with flowers and numerous words of kindness. To each, she responded, often through tears, "It's not me...it's the people who did the squares."