Jacqueline Schulz was receiving cancer treatment at Valley Medical Center when she was given the gift of a warm, new blanket.

She immediately decided to pay it back by donating $20 to those who brought her the gift, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“Even though she’s not a leukemia/lymphoma survivor or patient, she insisted on giving us money right there,” said Katie Johnson, senior manager at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “And I can’t thank her enough.”

In the room, Johnson was explaining Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s assistance and programs they offer cancer patients and survivors, when Schulz began to reach for her wallet to donate money to them.

This giving exchange happened July 11 when Walker’s Renton Subaru, along with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, visited cancer patients and families at Valley Medical Center.

This was one of those moments where communities came together to care for Valley Medical Center’s patients, said Gayle Jewett, vice president of cancer services at the hospital.

“We love that Subaru chose us and (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) funded this so that we could keep warming our patients,” Jewett said.

The gifts included 80 patient blankets, arts and crafts kits meant for children who come along when a parent is receiving treatment, “Message of Hope” cards written by anyone who visited Subaru showrooms in June and “Here to Help” cards that offer information on Leukemia and Lymphoma Society services.

Since 2015, Subaru has partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society and donated 105,000 blankets and 12,465 arts and crafts kits to people fighting cancer at hospitals and treatment centers nationwide, according to the Subaru website.

“Being able to partner up with Subaru across the country for the Subaru Loves to Care blanket delivery and arts and craft kit delivery is so amazing,” Johnson said.

“And it really is a wonderful way of showing how much Walker’s Renton Subaru is doing in their local community.”

One of the representatives from Walker’s Renton Subaru, Wendy Borgert, said she felt it was a great thing for the dealership to be doing, especially since they are big about giving back to the community.

Walker’s Renton Subaru also offers funding to STEM curriculum, early literacy and music programs, school supplies and after school programs at Renton Schools. They also sponsor Renton River Days, according to their website.

“It’s really touching what these people are going through, to just sit back and realize what you need to appreciate in life. Things could be a heck of a lot worse,” Borgert said.

Community is very important for Valley Medical Center, Jewett said, but also for the patients.

“They’re not just being cared for by one person, they’re being cared for by a community,” Jewett said. “Which I think is really important here.”

While senior manager Katie Anderson, left, explains Leukemia & Lymphoma Society programs Jacqueline Schulz, right, suddenly offers to donate to the society. Photo by Haley Ausbun

Dyan Egleston in the infusion center with two members of the Valley Medical Center cancer services team and her gift bag. Photo by Haley Ausbun