Eighty-three blue-colored blankets, which can double as fuzzy pillows when zipped up, were dropped off earlier this week at Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute on the Freeman Health System campus.

It’s the eighth straight year the Joplin-based Frank Fletcher Subaru and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society have teamed up to deliver blankets and handwritten care cards to Freeman’s cancer patients.

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience extreme sensitivity to cold, causing discomfort and pain.

“Typically, hospital environments and clinic environments can be very cold and very uncomfortable,” said Freeman Registered Nurse Malayla Bradford. “To offer a blanket to a patient who’s already going through a very difficult time in their lives is just priceless.”

According to the American Cancer Society, a new patient is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma every three minutes in the United States. A patient can suffer icy chills if they are anemic, have weight loss or are on specific medications that can chill the body internally.

“These blankets are really helpful with that,” said Freeman’s Dr. Pamela Landon. “The blankets that were brought to us this year are awesome.”

The blanket delivery is a key component of the car manufacturer’s “Subaru Loves to Care” philanthropic program, held annually in June.

“It’s great to give to these people who help people with cancer,” said Georgia Turner, Encore Specialist with Fletcher Subaru. “This is a very small part, but we get to help Freeman Health System take care of their patients a little bit.”

Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute brings together the many services necessary to provide comprehensive care for patients and families dealing with cancer. Physicians and staff use the most advanced technology available to treat and overcome the many types of cancer. For more information, call 417.347.4000 or visit www.freemanhealth.com.