Mike DeArdo of Triadelphia is the director of Quilt for the Cure supported by Neighborhood Ford Store. (Photo Provided)

Few Mother’s Day gifts are more treasured than those handmade by children, and this Sunday heartfelt wishes went out to mothers in treatment for breast cancer in a very special way.

Thanks to the region’s 76 Ford dealers — known collectively as “Neighborhood Ford Store” — and the Pittsburgh Pirates, a quilt with messages for breast-cancer patients made by the youngest Bucco fans was displayed in the “Mommy Hug” quilt at the Quilt For The Cure area in front of PNC Park on Federal Street prior to Sunday’s game.

“Children decorated the squares of comfort and support at a Pirates’ Family Fun activity last season, and then Quilt for the Cure volunteer Sue Brichacek designed and constructed the special Mother’s Day quilt,” Mike DeArdo, director of Quilt for the Cure, explained. “The children’s artwork and wishes were really put into the right hands when Ms. Brichacek received the precious squares last year — not only is she a talented quilter and dedicated Quilt for the Cure volunteer, but she also holds a master’s degree with extensive experience as an elementary school teacher.”

“Neighborhood Ford Store is pleased to support this Mother’s Day activity with the Pittsburgh Pirates because it addresses a need that can go unrecognized in the treatment of breast-cancer — the feelings of family members, and, in this case, the youngest family members,” Joseph Thurby, chairman of Neighborhood Ford Store, explained. “This outreach actually began at the Mother’s Day Pirates game last year when Diana Napper of Glimmer of Hope heard about a child who told his preschool teacher that his ‘Mommy was dying of breast cancer’ during a class sharing time.”

Napper, a champion in supporting metastatic breast-cancer treatment and in bringing mental-health services to breast-cancer patients, recognized the importance of addressing children’s feelings because breast cancer affects the entire family. Through Napper, word reached Quilt for the Cure, the all-volunteer breast-cancer group supported by Neighborhood Ford Store, and the volunteers went to work on a Mother’s Day plan culminating in the “Mommy Hug” quilt.

After its display on Mother’s Day, the quilt will be given to Glimmer of Hope with the aim of sparking support for children whose families are affected by breast cancer.

“Because Sunday is Mother’s Day, we’ll have the materials available prior to the game in our area for children to decorate squares for their Moms, breast-cancer patients, or both,” DeArdo said. “The children can keep their artwork, or donate messages of comfort and support for a future quilt — or do both. We provide all the materials and it’s all free, thanks to the support of Neighborhood Ford Store and the Pittsburgh Pirates.”