San Andreas, CA…An art quilt butterfly titled “Flourish” now hangs in the lobby at Mark Twain Medical Center’s Cancer Center to inspire patients and their loved ones. It was donated in memory of Bill Mollon by his wife Sandra, an internationally-renowned quilt artist. Their family joined her for the recent quilt presentation at the Cancer Center.

Sandra Mollon holds her handmade donated framed quilt alongside of her family members and MTMC staff.

Long-time residents of Valley Springs, the couple visited the Cancer Center regularly for some three years as Bill received treatment. Sandra explains, “We really bonded with the staff there – especially RN Chris Stevenson. I cannot imagine how hard it is for him to see patients endure so much – and then, sometimes they pass away. The people here are wonderful, and having the care this close to home was very helpful. ”

She notes that “Flourish” reflects the butterfly image seen by many cultures as representing endurance, change, hope, and life. It is an appropriate symbol for display at the facility – a trusted community resource which has been providing compassion and specialized care for decades.

“Flourish” is among Sandra’s many award-winning quilt art designs derived from photos. It was inspired by a photo by Mattie Bryant. The technique combines both hand dyed and commercial cotton fabrics, with some textile paint and other media.

She has been quilting for over 30 years and teaching around the United States – and internationally –for 18 years. Sandra began as a traditional quilter, specializing in hand applique for a couple of decades before she began interpreting photographic scenes into quilt art pieces. Her work has won many national awards and is the subject of her book of original designs titled “Seasons of Life,” which will be released soon by C & T Publications.

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About Mark Twain Medical Center
Founded in 1951, Mark Twain Medical Center is a 25-bed, Critical Access Hospital providing inpatient acute care, outpatient services and emergency services. The Medical Center’s Medical Staff represents a broad range of specialties that ensure access to high quality medical care in a rural community. In addition to being a major provider of health services, Mark Twain Medical Center is also one of the area’s largest employers. More than 300 people are employed at the hospital and its five Family Medical Centers. The Medical Center is a member of Dignity Health, the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in the nation. For more information, please visit our website at www.marktwainmedicalcenter.org. Mark Twain Medical Center is also on Facebook.