Crocheting keeps woman busy helping others

Ellie Ruth McGahee has found a way to help cancer patients. She crochets.

When her brother-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2008, she and her husband, Kenneth, became caretakers and took him to chemotherapy and radiation treatments at University Hospital.

"We would spend hours waiting," Mr. McGahee said. "I like to talk, so I would start up conversations with people in the waiting room. She carries her crocheting bag everywhere, so she would sit and crochet."

As the hours they spent waiting accumulated, so did the number of hats she crocheted, she said.

"I figured the Lord gave me the ability to crochet, so in turn I would use that talent to help someone else in need," she said. "I decided to give them to the hospital."

Her brother-in-law died May 22. Other family members also have had cancer. Her father and a sister-in-law died of cancer. Her mother survived cancer but died of other causes.

"When they lose their hair, the head gets cold easily and some of them are embarrassed about losing their hair," she said. "I think it's something that's needed and it can go a long way.

''I make the hats different colors and patterns so they can pick something they like, something that'll make them feel good."

Before retiring as a teacher at Gracewood Elementary School, Mrs. McGahee encouraged her students to use their time constructively, and she tries to do the same, she said.

"I can't just sit. I have to do something. I like to keep my hands busy," she said. "Even when I'm watching TV, I'll crochet."

If uninterrupted, she can complete one hat in four hours, she said.

To date, she has given away about 100 hats and is working on another 100. She hopes to reach the goal by the end of the month.

"It's (cancer) out there and people are battling it every day, but there are so many things people can do to help," she said. "This is what I do to help."

Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.