Central Coast sisters create hooks for healthcare workers to help alleviate pain caused by masks

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. -- Two Central Coast sisters are providing much-needed comfort to healthcare workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Cathy Sackrison and Lan George have created mask hooks that help alleviate pain caused by tight-fitting behind-the-ear elastic straps.

"I feel like it's my responsibility," said George. "It's what we have to do. It's our responsibility to help where we can and it's our mission to do so."

Often times, healthcare workers suffer from pressure and pain, including bruising, and even open sores, from prolonged usage of masks strapped around their head.

Sackrison, who lives in Orcutt, and George, from Arroyo Grande, are the hosts of the popular Better With Sisters podcast.

Created in 2018, it focuses on sisterhood and life. The podcast includes meaningful conversations about food, family, travel, entertainment, health and wellness, personal growth, and other timely and important topics.

They were inspired to create the hooks after hearing stories how healthcare workers were having to deal with physical pain as they endured long hours on the job.

"We have been following the news, and some people were speaking out saying wearing these masks for extended periods of time were really wearing on their ears," said Sackrison. "We saw all sorts of solutions, from buttons to paper clips, and then we saw an s-hook that we thought would be a better option and decided to run with that idea and we developed our own."

The hooks have been designed and refined by the sisters, using a laser cutting engraver, which is supposed to create products for their planned new business.

The sisters were set to open BWS Creations this month, but have been postponed due to the pandemic. The online store will create custom-made signs and gifts.

"We had a little bit of disappointment not being able to do things as planned, but we strongly believe that adapting is one of the best things you can do in any scenario," said Sackrison. "This just allowed us to pivot our original business plan, creating pieces with purpose to spread joy, and instead, we're creating pieces that serve a different purpose. We have been able to find a lot of joy in doing this."

So far, 4,800 hooks have been donated to thousands of workers across the Central Coast and far beyond.

Some of the places locally that have received donations includes, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, Arroyo Grande Care Center, Marian Regional Medical Center, Mission Hope Cancer Center, Community Health Centers (CHC), Pacific Central Coast Health Centers from Paso Robles to Lompoc, Five Cities Fire Authority and many other medical facilities and first responders.

They have also shipped them to facilities in New York, Maryland, Michigan, Georgia, San Francisco and other places.

"We believe in doing what you can, when you can, with what you have," said Sackrison. "This is something that we felt was something we could do right now to help our healthcare workers and essential workers where they need it."

The clear acrylic hooks are printed with inspirational phrases, with some specifically intended for the group of workers that are receiving them.

For those in Arroyo Grande, the hooks say, "AG ♥ Hero," while those in Santa Barbara County have, "SB CO ♥ Hero."

Hooks that are sent outside the area are printed with the message, "Not Today COVID."

"It's just a lot of relief and a lot of gratitude," said George. "Their ears are so sore and they hurt, and these hooks offer a little less pressure on their ears, so the response that we've gotten is, thank you so much, these are so helpful."

With many requests coming in daily from around the nation, the sisters are hoping to produce as many hooks as they can, for however long the need remains.

They are seeking donations to help offset rising expenses, notably shipping costs.

"With the sheer volume that we were not expecting, it's definitely starting to add up, so were asking for donations just to cover shipping costs and raw materials at this point if people can," said Sackrison.

"I just want to thank the community," said George. "Everyone has bee so supportive in sharing our message and helping us to get the word and we really are in pressing times and we're really grateful to be able to help however we can."

For more information on the hooks or to donate, visit the Better With Sisters website.