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Photo by Tessa Marie Images.
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Ellen Wills Hamilton spends her weekdays working as the director of Inspirica, a Manhattan-based company that provides concierge-style tutoring and test prep. Her second shift is with Chemo Cozy, a company she founded a year and a half ago with her husband, Greg. The company makes micro-fleece jackets with concealed zippers, allowing easy access to ports and PICC sites during chemotherapy treatments.
What’s the most fulfilling part of running Chemo Cozy?
It’s definitely my passion. It was an idea I had when my husband was going through chemo treatment for a very rare form of osteosarcoma. The rooms were very cold, and it was frustrating that there weren’t any jackets he could wear to feel comfortable and warm while also allowing access for nurses providing treatment. We designed the jackets and had them made. It’s very fulfilling knowing they help make patients look good and feel better during a very difficult time.
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
It’s been the best thing ever to be able to channel our energy into this project. I’m definitely a “silver lining” person, and I think this is a big silver lining. My son was only 1 when Greg was diagnosed with cancer. He just turned 6. He comes with my husband and I to deliver jackets, and he can see that it is important what we do. We keep hoping for the best in terms of our outcome. In the meantime, we keep helping other people the best we can.
