Recognizing the pivotal role of social and community context in navigating chronic illnesses, Sarika partnered with UAB Arts in Medicine to create Tight-Knit – a weekly knitting group for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Over the course of 30 weekly two-hour sessions, participants received the supplies, instruction, and confidence to learn a new skill that offered a welcome distraction from their illness or caregiving duties. Working alongside UAB Arts in Medicine, Sarika saw the important role that art plays in instilling hope, empowerment, and a sense of agency in patients. Beyond experiencing the numerous benefits that knitting has on mental wellbeing and fine motor skills, participants got to leave Tight-Knit with a new community of support throughout their treatment that they may not have had otherwise. Tight-Knit will continue to be led by fabulous volunteers from Blazing Hooks and Needles, a UAB employee knitting group.

As a result of the project:

• Tight-Knit was added as a supportive care class to the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center website
• Cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers created a community of support and an additional social network that will be there for them during their treatment and beyond
• Participants left Tight-Knit with a skill known to relieve stress, improve neuropathy and dexterity, provide a welcome distraction from chronic illnesses, and enhance overall wellbeing