Each year, local quilter Nora Brant has created a beautiful quilt in honor of her daughter, Meghan, who passed away from ovarian cancer at the age of 26. Each year, that gorgeous creation is raffled off, with proceeds used to increase awareness, fund education and ovarian cancer research, and provide scholarships. Since 1997, Brant has used her skills to raise over $100,000 for research and scholarships. And while each quilt Is made by Nora, the rest of Meghan’s family use their gifts and skills, working together throughout the year to help promote ovarian cancer research in memory of their sister and friend.
Meghan’s sister, Lorelei Greifenstein shared, “The Foster-Brant family has never been one to sit on our hands. If there is some way to improve a situation, we’re going to find it and get to work. We may not be research scientists, but my mother is a quilt artist. She can create a beautiful quilt inspired by Meghan and hold raffles that, with the support of the community, can fund those research scientists. And those scientists just might be on the right track to finding a cure so no other family will experience the same loss.” She explained, “Taking positive steps and helping others can start you on a path of healing.”
This year’s quilt pattern, ‘warped double Irish chain’, is a 104-inch square king-size quilt designed by Margaret Burke and pieced and quilted by Nora Brant. Greifenstein noted, “My mom loves the challenge of creating an optical illusion with fabric and color. She thinks she accomplished that with this year’s intricate quilt.” (inset photo)
Raffle tickets are available through October 31st at a cost of $1 each or six tickets for $5. They can be purchased in person or by mail. Make checks payable to Meghan Brant Memorial Fund and send, along with your name and phone number to: Nora Brant, P.O. Box 488, Mantua, OH 44255. Please note that the winner need not be present for the November 5th drawing and will be notified by phone.
“I miss Meghan every single day, but in years past, when we all gather to debut the quilt and start the raffle at the OROC (Out Run Ovarian Cancer) race at the Rock Hall, her friends or caregivers will come to greet us and she seems that much closer,” Greifenstein shared. “When we are considering scholarship applicants, we talk about Meghan and how she may be similar or different from each candidate and which person Meghan might recommend. In some ways, she’s still right here beside us. I find comfort in knowing she is not forgotten by those who knew her and to see her best traits in others.”
Greifenstein continued, “With Covid-19 possibly eliminating the opportunity to display this year’s quilt throughout Northeast Ohio, I hope that our supporters might tell a few friends (or a few dozen) to help support and get the word out about the 2020 raffle.” Once again, this year’s proceeds will support the early detection of ovarian cancer research at Case Comprehensive Care Center and provide scholarships.
“Thanks for helping us honor Meghan, train oncology caregivers, encourage survivors and find a cure for ovarian cancer,” Greifenstein concluded. The Brant family is pleased to continue working with OROC (OutRun Ovarian Cancer), which matches the quilt proceeds for ovarian cancer research, and Derthick’s Corn Maze in Mantua, which will be selling pumpkins to raise funds for cancer research.
Follow the Meghan R. Brant Memorial Quilt page on Facebook to see this year’s quilt and to keep up with the latest information.
