CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — A woman in Citrus County is doing what she can to help others while undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
- Diane McInnis knits hats for people who need them
- McInnis diagnosed with breast cancer Spring 2018
- Female Veterans Network now helping McInnis in her efforts
- More Citrus County stories
Diane McInnis has been knitting hats for the last two years.
“I started doing this because one of the ladies I was going out to lunch, she told me she would show me how to do it,” McInnis said.
“One of my friends was sending care packages to the troops," she added. "I says, 'well I can do this.'”
In that time, she’s made over one hundred hats. She’s giving them to anyone who needs them, like cancer patients or the homeless.
This year, however, McInnis said this effort took on a whole new meaning. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring, and is currently undergoing treatment.
“They have some pretty hats there, but you don’t always want to wear something pretty with a flower on it," McInnis explained. "This here, they want to keep their head warm. You don’t know how cold it gets, believe me.”
And as McInnis continues her efforts despite her own personal health struggle, the community in Citrus County has come together to help her.
Dozens of people have donated yarn for the hats. Members of the Female Veterans Network, who are friends with McInnis, have offered to help her get the hats distributed.
McInnis hopes she’ll inspire others to give back, as well.
“I like to pay it back forward to the community," she told us. "I figured if one person helps one, somebody else will help somebody else."
For more information on how to help or how to receive one of the hats contact Cynthia with the Female Veterans Network.