Nine-year-old sells handmade scarves to help cancer patients

ANINE-YEAR-OLD Holy Name School student is helping cancer patients in Delta County one scarf at a time. Mary Scheuren sells her handmade crocheted scarves and gives the proceeds to the Delta County Cancer Alliance in an effort to help those battling cancer.

Scheuren learned to crochet when she was six, and after attending a Relay for Life event, decided she would use her talent to help others.

Scheuren’s mother, Charlotte Oshe, explained she and Mary were walking at Relay for Life in honour of her great-grandmother, who had cancer, and Mary was inspired. Oshe said scarves have been shipped as far as Missouri.

“We’ve gotten a lot of love and help,” she said.

Cheri Severinsen, president of the Delta County Cancer Alliance, said seeing someone so young doing something for a worthy cause is heartwarming.

“It’s wonderful. She’s using her talent for something good,” she said.

Severinsen noted that each time she purchases one of Scheuren’s scarves to send to cancer patients, she makes sure they know it came from a young student, and added that people are touched by it.

“They’re always excited to see it comes from a young person,” said Severinsen.

So far, Scheuren has raised $150 for the Delta County Cancer Alliance and has made more than 60 scarves, the Daily Press reported.

In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October, 50 per cent of the proceeds from scarves sold on Scheuren’s Facebook page ‘Mary’s Fairy Scarves’ will go to Delta County Cancer Alliance. Scarves are also sold at Positively! The Center for Success in Escanaba, where for every scarf sold, US$1 is donated to the Cancer Alliance.

According to Scheuren, her favourite part of creating the scarves is knowing she’s helping out the community.

“There are so many people with cancer and you want to help them get better,” she said, noting her family has been impacted by cancer and being able to give back is rewarding.

Oshe said she couldn’t be more proud of her daughter and the cause she is fighting.

“I’m very proud of the person she’s growing into,” she said.

Mary Scheuren stands between Holy Name Principal Joe Carlson (left) and Delta County Cancer Alliance President Cheri Severinsen at Holy Name School in Escanaba, Michigan. Scheuren is wearing one of her Mary’s Fairy Scarves, which she creates, sells,...