Pascack Hills High School senior Valerie Kimel has been transforming yarn into lasting tokens of hope. In her free time, Valerie crochets roses and gifts them to patients undergoing infusion treatments at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey in Teaneck.
Valerie began crocheting in middle school with friends and a former teacher, never imagining the hobby would blossom into a personal mission. Now, while working at the infusion lab, she sees firsthand the emotional and physical toll of biologic treatments for rare autoimmune conditions.
“Patients can often feel isolated because their conditions are rare,” Valerie tells Pascack Press, “But when they’re in the infusion room with others on a similar journey, there’s a shared sense of understanding. I hope these roses remind them that someone cares.”
Each rose takes Valerie four to five hours to make. She carefully selects the colors and textures, ensuring each flower feels personal. She recently completed her 20th rose — nearly 100 hours of care and encouragement given stitch by stitch.
“I wanted to do something small but meaningful to brighten their day and offer something lasting they could associate with hope and strength,” she added.
Patients and staff alike have embraced Valerie’s gesture. Photos show her presenting a rose to patient Sylil Geyer, and sharing smiles with infusion nurses Erin Melvin and Cheryl Butler.
Valerie calls them her “flowers that won’t wilt.” She tells Pascack Press she plans to keep crocheting and sharing them as long as there are patients who can use a little extra light on their journey.
