Local Victoria Quilts chapter looking to provide comfort to even more cancer patients

Victoria Quilts Canada, including the Woodstock/Oxford branch, is a non-profit organization providing quilts for cancer patients. (Andrea Aikenhead photo)

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

The Woodstock/Oxford Branch of Victoria Quilts Canada will reach its 10-year milestone this August.

Victoria Quilts Canada is a non-profit organization that provides free handmade quilts to cancer patients. The movement began in the United States in 1998 after Deborah Rogers decided to make quilts for cancer patients in honour of her late sister-in-law Victoria Ann Morrison, who mentioned she was cold in the waiting room waiting for treatment. Victoria Quilts Canada was formed by Betty Giffin and her friends a year later in 1999.

The Woodstock/Oxford Branch started in 2015 by Diane Roberts, who was new to the area at the time and was previously involved with the Sudbury Branch. As of August 2025, Victoria Quilts Canada’s Woodstock/Oxford Branch distributed a total of 31,000 quilts to cancer patients in Woodstock and area over the past decade, with 279 of those delivered in the past year. The local branch has more than 60 volunteers and between 15 to 20 quilt requests a month and counting.

"By providing these quilts, we hope to provide physical comfort to those dealing with cancer,” said Andrea Aikenhead, publicity coordinator for Victoria Quilts Woodstock/Oxford.

Each quilt costs about $120 to $140 to create with a 100 per cent cotton top layer and flannel bottom layer and can be made in the patient’s favourite colour or reflect their interests such as hockey or fishing. The quilts are hand-delivered to patients so they can stay comfortable as they await cancer treatments.

"It's just an extra layer of letting people know that we really care about them, that they're not alone on the trip,” Aikenhead said.

Although the organization has grown over the years, Aikenhead is looking to spread more awareness about Victoria Quilts Woodstock/Oxford’s chapter. She said the organization will attend community events and quilting shows to get the name out there and provide more comfort to cancer patients.

"It's very hard to get the word out, to let people know, because a lot of times people don't believe that we would give away a quilt,” Aikenhead said.

To find out more information about Victoria Quilts Woodstock/Oxford Branch, including requesting a quilt, send an email to vqwoodstock330@gmail.com. The group can also be found on the Victoria Quilts Woodstock/Oxford Branch Facebook page. Requests for quilts can also be made online via https://victoriasquiltscanada.com.