The Board invited Dr. Virgil Fry to lead the ministry in 1985. His task was to work with staff and denominational chaplains within M.D. Anderson, offering compassionate support to patients and families. As his work took root, Marie also secured and mentored numerous volunteers to walk alongside her on her traditional Thursday visits. She founded a unique pillow ministry, providing sewn pillows to patients, initially for children but then expanding to people of all ages. The pillows gained a reputation as an item of comfort and love, which served as a reminder to each patient that they were not alone. Today church groups throughout Texas still gather material and sew an assortment of comfort items, including Ouch Buddies, an item for patients to grasp during painful procedures.
