AR SR25

Commends Mary L. Philips for founding and directing the Care Cap Connections community cancer project, which began in late 2005 when she created head scarves for her sister undergoing chemotherapy.

Care Cap Connections has grown from one team in Fairfield Bay and one cancer center (MD Anderson) to multiple groups across Arkansas, Louisiana, and other states, with over 1,500 volunteers participating in monthly sewing events.

Approximately 1,100 care caps are distributed monthly to cancer centers and individuals at no charge, with more than 31,500 caps distributed nationwide as of January 2011.

Three additional teams have been established independently in Heber Springs, Arkansas ("Love Caps"), Orlando, Florida ("Sunshine Caps"), and San Antonio, Texas ("The Coker Project").

All sewing events are funded entirely through donations from individuals, churches, corporations, and foundations with no government funding.