John Spaziani beat cancer some 15 years ago and wanted a way to help other cancer patients. An article in a woodturning magazine gave him just the idea he needed.
The trouble with getting your news online is that, unlike a newspaper, all the bad news seems to float to the top. And stay there. Even when looking around for the latest woodworking news, negative news of all kinds can be overwhelming.
Fed up with it, I was determined to find an uplifting story to share. A simple search turned up a great item from the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Conn., an affiliate of Hartford HealthCare and known for its outstanding cancer treatment center.
John Spaziani — an 85-year-old woodturner in West Hartford, Conn. — beat cancer some 15 years ago and wanted a way to help other cancer patients. An article in a woodturning magazine gave him just the idea he needed: creating wig stands for those working their way through cancer treatment. So, that’s exactly what he’s started doing.
The stands are simple, and resemble ornate candlesticks — a turned base, shaped spindle and a flat wig-support pad at the top. Some are single-species pieces, others laminated from contrasting woods. He’s made 50 of them so far for the hospital.
On the hospital’s website, Director of Philanthropy Debbie Bender noted that Spaziani’s work is a perfect way to give back to the community. “His craftsmanship provides our cancer center and patients with beautiful and inspiring artistry,” she said. “He is delivering hope and understanding to neighbors going through one of life’s greatest challenges.”
Maybe the bad news does float to the top a lot these days. Fortunately, stories like this one have a way of rising above it all.