Love, Hope, and Prayer

Jonnie Chandler

In 2018, one month prior to her scheduled annual mammogram, PebbleCreek resident Patti Schuldt was diagnosed with breast cancer. When Patti arrived at the Froedtert Cancer Center in Menomonee Falls, Wis., for her first chemotherapy session, she was given a purple shopping bag filled with comfort items. The bag was filled with hand lotion, a water bottle, socks, hard candies, a fleece throw, and other comfort items. The purple bag, labeled “Tricia’s Troops,” was a gift from the non-profit organization Tricia’s Troops Cancer Connection.

In 2010, Tricia, a wife and mother of two young girls, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. Tricia’s surgery removed her colon tumor. However, the cancer had metastasized to her liver and lungs, and Tricia began chemotherapy treatment. During her journey, Tricia and her husband established Tricia’s Troops Cancer Connection as their mission to give back for the overwhelming support they received from their church family and community friends.

During her darkest hours, Patti felt Tricia’s support, and she also appreciated every item included in the purple bag that was donated with love, hope, and prayer. She carried her purple bag to each appointment. During her chemotherapy treatments, Patti occupied her hands and her mind with a quilting project. She had ordered a quilt pattern from Australia and bought every pink fabric she could locate online. Working on the quilt kept her mind happy and positive. After a year Patti completed her pink cancer ribbon quilt. She named her quilt “Wrapped in Love, Hope, and Prayer.”

Patti also wished to pay it forward and provide the support and encouragement she received from Tricia’s Troops. Recently, Patti donated her pink cancer ribbon quilt to the Connection’s annual fundraiser. After a friendly bidding war, Patti’s quilt sold for $1,750.

This beautiful story of strength and support continues. The winning bidder donated the quilt back to Tricia’s Troops Cancer Connection to be included in their next auction.

Tricia Wright, Patti Schuldt, and the gala attendees are inspirations of giving back and providing others with love, hope, and prayer.