Woman cheers up fellow cancer patients with creative costumes

A woman who has breast cancer hopes to help others through her creative hospital outfits.

News 12 Staff

Oct 16, 2021, 12:05 AM

Updated 896 days ago

Share:

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a Brooklyn woman who has breast cancer hopes to help others through her creative hospital outfits.
Bushwick native Ellen Fields said she was shocked when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer two years ago but chose to remain optimistic despite the situation.
"While you're still living and while you're still here, try to make the best of the situation. The diagnosis isn't great, but there are moments in life that aren't great, and you can make something terrible better,” said Fields.
For almost 30 appointments, Fields donned costumes, ranging from a ketchup bottle to a football player. 
She also brought along an emotional support unicorn named Sugar.
"I was really thinking this is so ridiculous, I'm 45 years old, I'm faced with this very intense diagnosis...It's almost comical wearing costumes to chemotherapy,” said Fields.
The costumes became a hit with the health care providers at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, but Fields says the impact on some of her fellow patients was powerful.
Fields is now in remission, yet she still wears costumes to every follow-up appointment.
She hopes that chemotherapy costumes become standard at all hospitals and provide momentary happiness for all cancer patients. 


More from News 12
1:40
Opening statements begin in Town of Wallkill murder-for-hire trial

Opening statements begin in Town of Wallkill murder-for-hire trial

1:44
Summerlike afternoon with highs in 80, rain and big cool down coming

Summerlike afternoon with highs in 80, rain and big cool down coming

1:58
4 teens face hate crime charges in Ramapo, accused of antisemitic drive-by harassment

4 teens face hate crime charges in Ramapo, accused of antisemitic drive-by harassment

0:30
‘We are heartbroken.’ Loved ones search for answers in case of missing New Paltz woman

‘We are heartbroken.’ Loved ones search for answers in case of missing New Paltz woman

0:20
Parents, NYCLU rally in Albany to demand changes in E. Ramapo schools

Parents, NYCLU rally in Albany to demand changes in E. Ramapo schools

0:48
Rockland community unites to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day

Rockland community unites to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day

0:28
Trial of Wallkill man suspected of hiring someone to kill his neighbor begins today

Trial of Wallkill man suspected of hiring someone to kill his neighbor begins today

0:27
Rye police: Car burglary highlights need to lock vehicles

Rye police: Car burglary highlights need to lock vehicles

1:46
Fire officials: Fatal Ossining fire doesn't appear to be suspicious

Fire officials: Fatal Ossining fire doesn't appear to be suspicious

1:14
Headlines: Woman stabbed in White Plains, fatal crash on I-84, body of missing guardsman found

Headlines: Woman stabbed in White Plains, fatal crash on I-84, body of missing guardsman found

0:31
Orange County school districts poised to implement wards for school board elections

Orange County school districts poised to implement wards for school board elections

0:32
SUNY Purchase agrees to suspend disciplinary consequences for protester arrested during campus demonstrations

SUNY Purchase agrees to suspend disciplinary consequences for protester arrested during campus demonstrations

0:19
Rabies alert issued in Sullivan County after fox tests positive

Rabies alert issued in Sullivan County after fox tests positive

0:38
Local thrift store hits $4 million in charitable giving to Northern Westchester hospital

Local thrift store hits $4 million in charitable giving to Northern Westchester hospital

0:40
New York honors fallen police officers with memorial wall dedication

New York honors fallen police officers with memorial wall dedication

0:30
New Rochelle maintains current elementary school start times despite cost concerns

New Rochelle maintains current elementary school start times despite cost concerns

0:21
Small business owners recognized for contributions during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Small business owners recognized for contributions during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

1:08
Sleepy Hollow music festival to debut with indie rock band Cold War Kids headlining

Sleepy Hollow music festival to debut with indie rock band Cold War Kids headlining

0:22
Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead

Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead