Apr 4, 2012

Pillow Pets Provides Comfort, Warmth and Support to Hospital Patients

Pillow Pets® products, beloved by children, adults, and everyone in between, have become a staple at hospitals and hospital gift shops nationwide. Pillow Pets original folding plush is a popular item for hospital patients because of the multiple functions they provide. They have topped crutches, propped up broken limbs, and most importantly, provided security and comfort to those who have needed it most. Pillow Pets blankets have swaddled newborn babies, and Pillow Pets hats have decorated the heads of doctors and nurses spreading healing through laughter.

“Pillow Pets is one of the top product lines we carry at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia gift shop,” said Candace Gallagher, the hospital’s Assistant Retail Manager. Sara Minnis, buyer and gift shop manager for Iowa Lutheran Hospital stated, “They just sell….like magic! And we don’t even treat children at our hospital.”

In addition to being a great item for hospital gift shops, Pillow Pets products have been a sought after item for non-profit organizations and other charities to donate to hospitals and children’s hospitals. Pillow Pets® products were distributed and donated to hospitals through a number of different organizations and foundations in 2011.

One endeavor in particular influenced the donation of over 150,000 Pillow Pets stuffed toys to children in hospitals all over the country. The little boy responsible for this was a patient himself. Jacob McConahay, a 7-year old with pediatric cancer, had a dream to give Pillow Pets foldable plush to other hospitalized children, to give them comfort while away from home. With the help of some friends, Jacob’s dream became a reality. Jacob lost his battle to cancer in August of 2011, but his dream still lives on today. CJ Products, manufacturer of Pillow Pets products, is paying tribute to Jacob in 2012 by releasing Jake’s St. Bernard, a special Pillow Pets style in honor of their friend Jake.

“It was very touching to see such a young child have so much care and awareness for others who are critically ill,” said Jennifer Telfer, CEO of CJ Products. “We created Jake’s St. Bernard to honor Jake. He truly impacted so many children’s lives. It is a great lesson for all of us.”

For more information, contact Heidi Niehart, Director, Sales & Marketing at (760) 444-4230 or Heidi@MyPillowPets.com.