After watching her husband fight cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and liver cancer, and now facing pancreatic cancer herself, Ruth Cornwell understands firsthand the challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis. Ruth found herself relying on others’ support more than ever before.
From healthcare providers and loved ones to organizations like Project Purple, that support helped carry her through some of the most difficult moments of her life. Wanting to give back to the community that has helped her through some of life’s most difficult moments, Ruth has found a unique way to make a difference. What began as a simple gesture, making port pillows for fellow patients, quickly grew into a mission rooted in compassion, gratitude, and purpose.
A Diagnosis that Changed Everything
Ruth’s diagnosis came during an already difficult period in life. Ruth had been by her husband’s side day in and day out as he battled cancer for 15 years before he passed away in February of 2025. Just one short week after his services, Ruth was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer and had to face it without him.
Ruth headed to a local urgent care after feeling fatigued, tired, and exhausted. At the time, she was otherwise healthy and was treated for what appeared to be a sore throat with steroids and antibiotics. During the two weeks that followed, she continued to feel worse, even when adjustments were made to her medications. By the end of that month, Ruth had lost 24 pounds, and according to friends, “looked like a zombie”.
Ruth had to spend two days in the hospital due to concerning blood work results. While she was there, she was diagnosed with type two diabetes. Although the diagnosis initially seemed to explain her symptoms, her health continued to decline. Months later, a CT scan revealed a large tumor in her pancreas. What may have been stage one when she was first hospitalized and diagnosed with diabetes had progressed to stage four by the time it was discovered. “It hit me fast,” Ruth shared.
As she navigated treatment and grief, she faced another unimaginable loss when her five-year-old granddaughter passed away in a tragic accident later that year.
Finding Purpose through Port Pillows
Ruth began her cancer treatment at Henry Ford Cancer Center in Detroit, where she had her port placed before starting chemotherapy. After two weeks of treatment there, she moved to Lemmen Holton Cancer Center in Grand Rapids, where her husband had been treated. During her time there, Ruth was surrounded by small acts of kindness from volunteers who regularly handed out candy, blankets, hats, and other comfort items.
One gift that especially stood out to Ruth was the port pillow. Port pillows are small cushions made to wrap around a seatbelt to protect chemo ports from pressure or discomfort. Having never seen one before, she was immediately drawn to it and realized how much more comfortable her car rides would be. As she was familiarizing herself with the pillow, the thought crossed her mind: I could make these myself. Inspired by the idea, she immediately asked whether the hospital needed more.
Ruth knew this was something she wanted to do, but finding the time and a way to make it happen was challenging. It wasn’t until January 2026, when she was snowed in, that she decided it was time to start. Ruth struggled with neuropathy and couldn’t use the sewing machine herself, but she was lucky enough to have some good friends who could handle that part for her.
As the project grew, so did the support around it, as donations came pouring in. With the help of friends and family, she developed a system for making the port pillows. Her 99-year-old mom was in charge of cutting the fabric, then her friend would sew them together, and Ruth would stuff them. They put the pillows into bags of 25 to donate them to many different cancer centers. Within the first 5 months, they have made 2,050 pillows and have reached 8 different cancer centers. They are also being included in some of Project Purple’s Blankets of Hope Care Packages.
“I am so grateful that I can give back,” Ruth said, “but there’s that sadness part, there are 2,050 people with cancer.”
More than Just a Pillow
For Ruth, the port pillows represent much more than a comfort item; they are an expression of gratitude, faith, and purpose. The port pillows give her purpose and a place to put her energy while she fights cancer herself.
“You never question what God has given you. There’s a purpose,” Ruth said. “Maybe this was my purpose of changing my life, and enjoying giving to people.”
Beyond giving comfort to other patients, the pillows have become a source of healing for Ruth herself. They give her something positive to focus on during treatment and help others who understand the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. What started as a small sewing project became a daily reminder that she can also make a difference.
Ruth’s doctor told her that the best way to fight cancer is with a good attitude and positive thinking, and that’s what Ruth is doing. Although her battle has been nothing short of difficult, she is still able to move forward and carry herself through this fight in a determined, open-minded way. When she was first diagnosed, she was given three months to a year to live. She is now 16 months in, doing better than she could have imagined.
“It’s determination,” she said. When her doctors told her that pancreatic cancer has a 13% survival rate at five years, Ruth said, “I’ll see you in 10.”
Ruth credits much of her progress to the determination that has guided her throughout her journey. She has spent countless hours researching ways to support her health, completely changing her diet and making intentional lifestyle changes. Those efforts, alongside her positive outlook, have helped her continue moving forward. Today, the tumor has gone from the size of a “walnut” to the size of a “pea”.
Giving back to everyone who has helped her fills Ruth with joy, which helps her fight. Alongside the pillows, Ruth wanted to honor all the nurses and other staff at the cancer center who have been such an amazing support to Ruth and the other patients there. Like the Daisy Award, which is given to a special nurse, Ruth made her own for all the nurses on her floor because she believes you can’t choose just one; everyone is so important.
“I’ve never been treated like a cancer patient that’s going to die. They never treat me like that,” Ruth said. “It’s a way for me to give back.”
Support When She Needed It Most
Ruth would not be where she is today without the support she has received throughout her journey. One person who has made an especially meaningful impact is Kelly, a social worker at her cancer facility.
“She is absolutely perfect,” Ruth said.
When Ruth was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she found herself facing overwhelming financial uncertainty. She was deep in medical bills, no longer had her husband’s social security, and had no health insurance. Having watched her husband battle cancer for years, she understood the challenges ahead and worried about how she would manage them on her own.
Kelly stepped in and helped Ruth secure health insurance, relieving a significant amount of stress. Since then, Ruth has yet to pay anything except her deductible and monthly insurance payment, allowing her to focus on her treatment.
Kelly also connected Ruth with Project Purple. Ruth had joined a support group on Facebook, but she found it overwhelmingly negative and filled with stories that left her feeling discouraged. Project Purple offered the opposite.
“The support they give you at the lowest part of your life, saying they support you, they love you, they’re rooting for you, means a lot to me,” Ruth shared.
Giving Back
Ruth has always been independent, so asking for help is something she has always struggled with. Ruth learned from the support of Project Purple that asking for help is okay.
She wanted to do what she could to help organizations like Project Purple because she doesn’t know where she would be without the help she has received.
“When Project Purple sent me their support package afterwards with the blanket and stuff like that, it was like, ‘Wow, they care about me,’” Ruth Said.
Ruth wanted to say thank you somehow, and the port pillows are how she can do that.
“Put them in your Project Purple packages and let’s touch somebody else’s heart.”
To support patients like Ruth through Project Purple’s Patient Financial Aid Program, click here to make a donation.
