Honoring Love and Friendship Through the Comfort of a Blanket: The Legacy of the 22 Foundation Fund

By: Kaitlin Busch

When Bill Tatrai speaks about his late wife, Carol, and her best friend, Karen Campbell, his voice softens as he recalls the precious memories that ultimately inspired him and Karen’s husband, Jeff, to create the 22 Foundation in 2017.

For more than two decades, Carol and Karen walked side by side through life — and through breast cancer. Karen was diagnosed in 1994, and Carol in 1995. Their friendship became a symbol of resilience, humor, strength, and the unwavering hope that carried them through 22 years of treatment and healing together.

“They were dynamic personalities. Fighters and warriors for a long, long time,” Bill recalled.

The two women met through years of local friendship — bowling leagues, community connections, and a shared spirit that made them “bosom buddies,” as Bill affectionately described. They supported one another through each new stage of their cancer journeys, offering emotional strength in ways only those who’ve lived the same reality can.

That enduring friendship — and the comfort they gave one another — would eventually inspire a legacy that now warms the lives of cancer patients across Pittsburgh.

The spark for 22 Foundation was lit during one of Carol’s chemotherapy appointments. Someone had donated a box of soft blankets, and Carol immediately embraced one. Hospital blankets, she told Bill, were often thin and cold; this simple gift made her feel cared for.

That moment stayed with her, and with Bill.

“She loved that blanket,” Bill said. “She wanted others to feel that same comfort, to know they’re not alone.”

After Karen passed away in 2015 and Carol in 2016, Bill and Jeff launched the 22 Foundation Fund in their honor. Its name reflects the 22 years these two remarkable women spent supporting each other through their diagnoses. Today, their legacy lives on through the blankets the foundation distributes to oncology patients each month.

Every blanket sent to a patient carries the embroidered 22 Foundation emblem, designed in partnership with Waterfront Embroidery in West Homestead. This business has supported the mission from the very beginning. Each blanket includes a card sharing Carol and Karen’s story and the foundation’s mission, creating a human connection between giver and recipient.

Over the years, the foundation has donated more than 2,000 blankets to local cancer centers and hospitals, including UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Deliveries continue monthly, thanks to generous donors and fundraising events such as their longstanding community softball tournament.

“We started this foundation to honor Carol and Karen, and how they approached their fight all those years. But the real benefit is that we give people hope with Carol and Karen’s story. We let patients know people are thinking about them and they are not alone,” Bill said. “It’s nice to get feedback – a note or donation – to see it’s doing its magic and really uplifting people through their journey, which is not easy, as we know. It gives you comfort to know that what you set out to do matters. It keeps her spirit going and passes that on to people who are struggling.”

Bill often reflects on how both women handled their diagnoses: They never complained. They focused on their families. They lived with grace, humor, and courage. It’s that example the foundation hopes to pass along. Their website encourages anyone feeling discouraged to “remember 22,” a reminder of the friendship that exemplifies living with class, love, and an unbreakable spirit.

At UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, these blankets have become a cherished part of the patient experience. They represent more than physical warmth — they offer connection, compassion, and a message that someone out there cares deeply. Volunteers and staff speak often about the smiles these blankets bring, commenting on how the blankets are “amazing” and that they “bring meaningful comfort to someone sitting through hours of treatment.”

“Seeing patients smile with joy as they wrap themselves in these blankets further confirms the lasting impact of the connection and compassion of Carol, Karen, and the team at the 22 Foundation,” said Amber Miller, Director, Volunteer & Guest Services at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. 

Bill’s wish is simple: “To honor those ladies who fought their battles with grace.” Every blanket delivered is a tribute to Carol and Karen, and a message to patients that they, too, are not alone.

To learn more or support the mission, visit 22FoundationFund.com.