'We're in this together': Sask. woman spreading joy to other cancer warriors through crocheted keychains
A Saskatchewan woman is focusing on bringing happiness to other people who are battling cancer as she fights the disease herself.
In May 2022, Marielle Dionne was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
“I had surgery in October. I’ve been through five treatments of chemotherapy and 25 radiation treatments. Now, I’m on immunotherapy for a year,” she said.
During her first chemotherapy treatment, Dionne said she noticed it was very quiet.
“I thought ‘oh gosh, I wish I could do something to bring a bit of conversation to the place,’” she said.
When she got home that day, she started brainstorming with her daughter Adelle, who is also fighting cancer.
They started searching for ideas online.
“That’s where I got the idea for the ribbon keychains,” Dionne said.
“I thought ‘gee, maybe this will make people talk a little bit and converse about their cancer while they’re at treatment.’”
Dionne started crocheting cancer ribbons in July, forming them into keychains.
She makes them in 21 different colours, which symbolize different forms of cancer.
“[Patients] can take the colour of their cancer if they want to show that they have a certain cancer, or they can take their favourite colour,” Dionne said.
She started off making 10 ribbons of every colour - 210 in total. Now about six months later, she’s made 654 and counting.
“I can whip them up in 10 minutes, but then I pin them all and starch them. They have to stay overnight. I also have a poem that I put with each one,” she said. “That’s what takes time.”
Fighting the disease has not been easy, but Dionne said this project keeps her busy while also bringing smiles to people who are in a similar position.
“I wanted them to know that they’re fighters. They’re warriors,” she said.
“They have a battle. They’re there because they’re fighting cancer the same way I’m fighting cancer. The same way my daughter is fighting cancer. I want them to know that they are important. It’s my way of showing them that we’re in this together.”
Adelle Dionne, Marielle’s daughter, said fighting cancer along side her mom hasn’t been easy, but it has brought them closer.
“I don’t wish it upon anyone, but we’re strong together,” Adelle said.
“[The ribbons] keeps her mind off treatment and to see her happy makes me happy.”
Dionne has started getting requests for her keychains from across the country. She has sent them as far as Ontario and British Columbia.
As she continues immunotherapy for a year, Dionne said she plans to keep creating keychains to spread a little joy to the people who need it.
“My plan is to continue until my daughter and I are free of cancer,” Dionne said.
“She and I will take a picture underneath the cancer free sign at the Allan Blair [Cancer Centre].”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.