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 882 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
0:51
Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

1:56
Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

2:54
Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:56
Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

2:56
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

0:43
Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

2:23
'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

1:03
Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

0:29
Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

1:33
AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

2:12
Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

0:37
Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

0:27
Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

0:34
Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

2:18
Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

0:32
US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

0:35
Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

0:31
New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

1:02
Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started