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The concept of making specially modified shirts with invisible zippers began in 2011 when Maryjane Namola, RN was approached by a family that had a 3-year-old son undergoing chemotherapy for childhood leukemia. The child became upset needing to remove his garments for each treatment.
Maryjane knew that a special shirt was needed, one that would allow access to the IV port without removing the patient’s shirt. She went to work designing a shirt with an invisible zipper sewn at an angle, at the shoulder. Allowing the medical staff to access the IV port simply by unzipping the shirt. The concept became an immediate success and Maryjane was asked to make more of the shirts.
Image Courtesy of Zipshirt Ministry
In 2013 parishioners from St. John Neumann Catholic Church learned of these special shirts and began helping Maryjane by purchasing, cutting and sewing. With the assistance of volunteers, the idea of ZipShirts grew into a ministry. If you would like to volunteer, please use the contact information above.
Since then, over 4,000 shirts have been made and delivered, free of charge to Richmond and Powhatan area oncology units. Our prayers go out with each shirt.
This ministry has their own website with much more information- please visit it by clicking on the button below.
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