'Lemons Of Love' Takes The Sour Out Chemo Treatment In Wisconsin

WAUWATOSA, WI— It can be difficult to know how to help family, friends, and colleagues who are diagnosed with cancer and going through treatment. A nonprofit organization based in Mount Prospect, Illinois is taking out the guessing work with care packages.

Lemons of Love, a nonprofit organization, was created in 2014 and continues to deliver care packages for people going through chemo. They are slowly building their brand in Wisconsin and will be opening a building for care packages in Plymouth in Sheboygan County.

Over the weekend, a delivery was made to the Aurora Health Care Center-Wauwatosa. 16 boxes of care packages were sent to cancer patients.

Jill Swanson Peltier, Lemons of Love Founder, said packages are filled with products to help ease the short-term side effects of treatment and are designed to brighten a cancer patient’s day. Included are lemon drops because "First life gives you lemons and chemo makes you lose your taste buds and gives you a metallic taste in your mouth," Swanson Peltier said.

Other items include bottled spring water, a can of lemonade from Lemin Superior Lemonade. The Wisconsin company donates the lemonade to the organization. Also included are organic hand lotion, because skin tends to dry out during chemo, organic ginger lemon tea for upset stomachs. Also a Sheboygan-based lip balm, tissue, and queasy drops. Each package comes with a pair of superhero socks and a card from Swanson Peltier.

"I talk about being in the chemo chair. I understand what they are going through," she told Patch.

Swanson Peltier was diagnosed at 47 years old with stage III colon cancer. As she began chemotherapy, a friend gave Jill a small gift filled with items to help her through treatment. Touched by the kindness and thoughtfulness of this gift, she knew this was something every cancer patient should receive.

In September, she celebrated being in remission for six years.

"I'm blessed, but unfortunately, I see a lot of people going through big struggles. The (packages) is a way to connect with them," Swanson Peltier said.

Jill envisioned giving others the same kind of love and support with a simple gift that makes a big impact.

Swanson Peltier is also owner of FAST Cooling which makes the cooling systems and helmet fresh air systems for race cars. "Road America," which is held in Plymouth, is a big factor in her life.

Jill was fortunate to have the support of her family, friends and motorsport community to help her through treatment.

"Many people came together from the motorsport community and raised money for me. We took and paid it forward," Swanson Peltier said.

Today, Lemons of Love shares chemo care packages with cancer patients around the world and provides programming at its Lemons of Love Cancer Resource Center in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

The original Lemons of Love chemo care packages were created for adults in cancer treatment. The organization has added chemo care packages designed for veterans in cancer treatment, as well as children and their families. Lemons of Love was also inspired by a dear four-legged friend to build a chemo care package fit for pets diagnosed with cancer.

"When someone has been diagnosed with cancer and you don't know what to do. Send Lemons of Love," she said.

To learn more visit Lemonsoflove.org with more information on how you can help and more on their mission.