Over the past 12 years, Blankets of Hope has quietly grown into something truly special. What began as a simple act of comfort has now reached more than 35,000 blankets distributed, not including the hundreds of handmade toys lovingly created and donated along the way.
In the last two years alone, deliveries have tripled. Today, blankets are supplied to oncology wards across Cork, to end-of-life care wards, and to children’s units in both Cork and Dublin. Iris House also post blankets directly to “cancer warriors” who contact us personally, each one wrapped with care and sent as a reminder that they are not alone.
A blanket might seem like a small thing, but in a hospital room or during treatment, it becomes something more: warmth, dignity, reassurance, and human connection at a vulnerable time.
Behind every blanket is a real and ongoing cost.
Iris House must continuously purchase wool, package materials, and cover postage and delivery expenses to ensure they reach those who need them most. As demand continues to grow, so does the need for support to sustain the initiative.
What makes Blankets of Hope so powerful is that it has become a community helping each other. Volunteers knit with love, supporters donate what they can, and hospitals and families trust us to deliver comfort when it matters most. It is a simple idea, but it shows how collective kindness can ripple far beyond what we ever imagined.
As demand continues to grow, Iris House warmly welcome support, whether through donations, corporate partnerships, or community involvement, to help them continue delivering comfort, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
