When a cancer patient enters the hospital, the sterile environment can feel cold and impersonal. Soft hats and cozy blankets offer more than warmth; they provide comfort, dignity, and a tangible reminder that someone cares. If you’re looking to donate new hats or blankets to cancer patients in the Denver area, here are several trusted organizations and programs that will make sure your gift goes directly into the hands of those who need it most.
1. Passing Hats
Passing Hats is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Erie, Colorado, dedicated to adding warmth and comfort to cancer patients through handmade hats. While they welcome volunteers who knit or crochet, they also accept new, store-bought hats to distribute. Their hats reach infusion centers and oncology clinics across the Denver metro area.
- Drop-Off Address: Their headquarters in Erie (just north of Denver) regularly collects hat donations. They coordinate with local staff to deliver directly to area hospitals and clinics.
- What to Donate: Soft knit or crocheted beanies (no wool, please) in adult or child sizes. Bright colors and simple patterns are encouraged—anything that might bring a smile.
- How to Arrange Donation: Contact Ellen Miller (executive director) via email or phone to confirm drop-off times or request a “Lunch & Loom” visit to have Passing Hats staff come to your organization for a group hat-making event.
- Impact: In 2023 alone, Passing Hats delivered nearly 12,000 hats to Colorado cancer patients; they continue expanding to more clinics each year. passinghats.orgpassinghats.org
2. Knots of Love
Although based in Wisconsin, Knots of Love ships hand-knit and crocheted beanies—and knitted blankets—to cancer treatment centers nationwide, including several facilities in Denver. They accept donations year-round.
- What to Donate: Hand-knit or crocheted hats (100% acrylic or cotton yarn; no wool) and small lap blankets (approximately 30×30 inches). All items must be new, handmade, and individually packaged in clear plastic bags.
- How to Donate: Mail your handmade hats and blankets with a prepaid shipping label (available on their website) to Knots of Love headquarters. They guarantee 100% of donations are distributed free of charge.
- Impact: Since 2007, Knots of Love has gifted over 600,000 handmade caps and blankets to chemo patients across the U.S., including those in Denver-area cancer centers.
3. Denver Health
Denver Health’s Volunteer Services program maintains a wish list of “most needed items” for patients, including those in the Cancer Center. They partner with local donors to ensure new hats and blankets are always on hand.
- What to Donate:
- Hats: Fleece, knitted, or crocheted hats (child, adolescent, or adult sizes).
- Blankets: Fleece or quilted blankets (at least 24″ × 36″) or soft throw blankets.
- Hats: Fleece, knitted, or crocheted hats (child, adolescent, or adult sizes).
- Condition: All items must be new and packaged in sealed plastic bags. Scent-free and hypoallergenic fabrics are required.
- How to Donate: Bring new items to the Denver Health Volunteer Department on weekdays; call ahead to confirm drop-off hours. They distribute hats and blankets to both pediatric and adult oncology patients. denverhealth.orgdenverhealth.org
4. UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH)
UCH in Aurora serves many cancer patients each year and relies on donations to help comfort them. Their Volunteer and Community Engagement team collects handmade and store-bought items suitable for chemo patients.
- What to Donate:
- Hats: Soft fleece hats or knitted/crocheted beanies (all sizes), designed to be gentle on sensitive scalps.
- Blankets: Fleece, crocheted, or knitted lap blankets (approximately 30″ × 40″).
- Hats: Soft fleece hats or knitted/crocheted beanies (all sizes), designed to be gentle on sensitive scalps.
- Condition: Items must be new and in original packaging.
- How to Donate: Email the Volunteer Department at UCH to schedule a drop-off. They will coordinate with oncology unit staff to distribute items to inpatients and infusion patients. uchealth.orguclive.vsyslive.com
5. Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO)
While CHCO focuses on pediatric care, many young cancer patients benefit from donated hats and blankets. They maintain strict guidelines to ensure items can be safely laundered.
- What to Donate:
- Blankets: Hand-tied fleece blankets, store-bought throw blankets, or child-size quilts. Knitted or crocheted blankets are not accepted because they don’t hold up through commercial washing.
- Hats: Soft, neutral-colored beanies made of cotton or acrylic (no fuzzy fabrics or embellishments) suitable for children undergoing chemotherapy.
- Blankets: Hand-tied fleece blankets, store-bought throw blankets, or child-size quilts. Knitted or crocheted blankets are not accepted because they don’t hold up through commercial washing.
- Condition: All items must be new, scent-free, and individually bagged in clear plastic.
- How to Donate: Call or email CHCO’s Volunteer Services to confirm current needs and arrange a drop-off or postal mailing. Many donation drives pop up during September and October for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. kktv.comkrdo.com
6. Knitting4Peace
Knitting4Peace is a national organization with local “Peace Pods” in Colorado that collect handmade hats and blankets for vulnerable communities, including cancer patients. While they distribute to various partner agencies, you can direct your donations to their Denver-area efforts.
- What to Donate: Crocheted, knitted, or quilted items—particularly hats and lap blankets. They also accept yarn to supply local knitters.
- How to Donate: Locate the nearest Colorado Peace Pod via their website and arrange a drop-off. Volunteers then sort and deliver items to hospitals, clinics, and service organizations in Denver. coloradogives.org
7. Hats Off for Cancer
Hats Off for Cancer (HOC) is a national nonprofit that specializes in collecting and distributing hats to children with cancer. They partner with hospitals and camps, including some in the Denver metro area.
- What to Donate: Brand-new hats (child-size)—baseball caps, beanies, or seasonal hats. No handmade items, please; HOC coordinates large-scale distribution.
- How to Donate: Ship new hats to HOC’s headquarters in Calabasas, California; they handle nationwide distribution. Indicate that you’d like your donation directed to Colorado partner hospitals in the notes.
- Impact: Since 1996, HOC has distributed over 1.5 million hats to kids battling cancer; their Colorado partners receive thousands of hats each year. en.wikipedia.org
Tips for a Smooth Donation
- Always Call Ahead
Hospitals and volunteer services may update their guidelines seasonally. Confirm drop-off hours, packaging requirements, and any special restrictions (e.g., only accepting fleece blankets in winter). - Package Items Individually
New hats and blankets should be sealed in clear plastic bags. Label each bag with size and intended recipient (adult vs. child) to streamline sorting. - Avoid Delays
Check that your donated items meet each organization’s material guidelines:- Hospitals generally prefer machine-washable, durable fabrics (no wool in clinical settings).
- Children’s hospitals often restrict handmade blankets due to laundering protocols.
- Hospitals generally prefer machine-washable, durable fabrics (no wool in clinical settings).
- Consider Seasonal Needs
As temperatures drop, demand for fleece blankets and warm beanies spikes. Timing your donations for late fall through winter ensures patients have items when they need them most.
Conclusion
A simple hat or blanket can bring comfort, dignity, and a moment of normalcy to somebody fighting cancer. By donating through one of these Denver-area partners—Passing Hats, Knots of Love, Denver Health, UCHealth, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Knitting4Peace, or Hats Off for Cancer—you guarantee that your gift finds its way to patients who need it now. Whether you stitch each stitch by hand or purchase soft blankets from the store, your generosity warms more than just bodies; it warms hearts too.