Cushioning the Cough Alpha Phi Gives 200 Bears to Heart Patients in Lubbock

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200 Heart patients in need of cough pillows look forward to be given a firm teddy bear to help keep their sternum stable after open-heart surgery.

The bears will be given during February’s Heart Awareness month on National Wear Red Day (Feb.3, 2012). An Alpha Phi sorority alumnus, Lee Wagner, was an instrument in introducing the project to the Alpha Phi Omaha Alumni. Now, active member of Texas Tech’s Gamma Iota chapter, Blake Wagner, plans to revive the Hug-A-Bear at Lubbock Heart Hospital.

Alpha Phi sorority adopted heart-related projects as a national philanthropy in 1946. “After undergoing heart surgery that requires opening up the chest, patients typically are told to cough to help keep the lungs clear,” said Lee Wagner. Thus, they are given a firm pillow known as a cough pillow.

To brighten up the room and make cough pillows more inviting, friendly, and something to take home, Lee Wagner helped with the project of Hug-A-Bear to replace the firm pillows with firm teddy bear’s.

In September of 2011, Blake Wagner brought attention to the project and started a committee of 50 members in order to help raise funds for the bears and bring awareness to the cause. The bears were ordered and assembled by members of Alpha Phi sorority in January 2012 and will be delivered to to Lubbock Heart Hospital on February 3, 2012.