TEMPLE, Texas — A cancer diagnosis for a child is every parent's worst nightmare, but one Central Texan found her life's purpose in helping those who receive the terrible news.
Marie Campbell, "Ree" to friends and family, has always put her faith in God, especially 58 years ago, when her son survived a bout of testicular cancer.
"I thought that I was going to lose him, I did a lot of praying, I stayed with him day and night and we pulled through with someone’s help," Campbell told 6 News.
The way Campbell sees it, God is far from done using her and her talent!
"He wasn't expected to live, and he did and ever since then I’ve been involved with the cancer for the children," said Campbell.
Involved is saying it humbly, as since then, Campbell has made more than 400 quilts that she has donated to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center's cancer wing for children of all ages so that they have something of their own during such a difficult time.
"Scott & White did us a big favor and saved my son," said Campbell, "I feel like I’m paying them back!"
What started out as a hobby may have turned into an obsession, but when you love what you do and are helping people, why would you stop?
"I never get tired, it's hard for me to quit," Campbell told 6 News. "I sew every day, and sometimes when it's time to go to bed, I say before I go to bed, 'Ah, I'll make a couple of stitches and I’ll sew something else'. Or I’ll think of a color that I want to put together, and I go look at my fabric and put the fabric out, and then the next day I’m ready to either make a quilt or cut one out, whatever I decide to do."
In the first week of December, Campbell will run another large supply of quilts over to Baylor Scott & White for the holidays.
Campbell even told 6 News how she decides how to make her quilts.
"What this would look like or what that would look like, and which fabrics go together," Campbell said. "I like to make things fairly loud because they have a hard life as it is. I want their feelings to be uplifted. So, I like to make them loud, as you see I use bright colors."
Campbell has been widowed for three decades and her dedication to her craft and the kids has been her motivation. The soon-to-be 87-year-old says she has no intention of slowing down and feels like God called her to do this for the children.
"I guess he did, I guess he just said 'start sewing' and I haven't quit," said Campbell. "As long as he lets my eyes and my hands alone, I’m going to do it. I see no quitting point."
Campbell also makes and then donates little stuffed cats for children to hold when they are getting their chemotherapy, to aid in comfort. Campbell has dedicated her life to this, and 6 News is happy to report that her son is healthy and doing well!
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