Girl Scout Receives Award for Comforting Chemotherapy Patients

Allison Reed is one of seven Girl Scouts in the southern region and 58 in Ohio who was recognized at the John S. Knight Center in Akron for receiving a Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio. 

“Although the Gold Award is the highest, most prestigious recognition a girl may earn in Girl Scouts, we know it is just the beginning of the amazing things these young ladies will accomplish in their lives,” said Jane Christyson, chief executive officer for Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, in a press release.  “Their projects have a lasting impact locally, nationally, and globally in environmental awareness, special needs populations, healthy living, community improvements and more.”

Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer, a Girl Scout alumna, was the keynote speaker Saturday.

The Gold Award project challenges girls to identify an unmet need or core issue in their community, research and investigate it, recruit volunteers and build a team to create a plan to address the issue or need since 1916. 

The plan, called a Gold Award proposal, is submitted to council for approval by a committee of volunteers. Only about 5 percent of eligible girls take the rigorous path toward earning this prestigious award, but those who complete the journey change the lives of others and their own in amazing and significant ways. 

Chemotherapy Patients Wrapped in Comforting Messages

Reed is a 2012 graduate of North Canton Hoover High School and has been a Girl Scout for 12 years. She has earned the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards and has served as a Program Aide. 

Her Gold Award project helped many chemotherapy patients feel more comfortable by providing them with handmade blankets, hats and buttons holding inspirational quotes. Reed also looked to pass on the good act by holding blanket-making classes and uploading a blanket-making lesson video on YouTube. This helped inspire several members of the community to also join in her project by making these comforting items and donating them to local cancer hospitals, according to a press release.

“I was inspired to provide chemotherapy patients with more comfort and love when I found out my mom’s friend Carla was going through it. Giving my first blanket to Carla taught me how encouraging and meaningful a simple handmade blanket can be to those fighting the battle with cancer," Reed said in a prepared statement. "Carla was a great source of enthusiasm for me as I continued to do the same for others. Sadly, a few months ago Carla lost her battle with cancer but her memory will still serve as a great reminder to always love others.”

When Reed wasn’t participating in Girl Scouts, she was a member of Hoover’s concert and marching bands, American Sign Language Club and the Leadership-Interact Council for four years. This fall, Reed will be a sophomore at The Ohio State University majoring in accounting.