Club Central Menai staff lent a helping hand this week- working to raise recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Several staff gave up their free time to work with Zonta Club Botany Bay members on Thursday to help create breast care cushions.
The small hand-made cushions fit neatly under a patient’s arm post-surgery to protect sensitive scars and avoid accidental but painful knocks.
Club Central has helped fund the making of the cushions for the past five years thanks to an annual grant of $3,000.
Club Central Director Sandra Coogan said the cushions made an enormous impact on the lives of women and men going through breast cancer treatment.
“We are pleased to provide the funds for these cushions so they can be given away free to patients,’’ she said.
‘’The stitching and stuffing day is also a great way for Club Central staff to get involved in a program that’s making a big difference in our local community and helps promote breast cancer awareness this month.’’
Zonta Club Botany Bay member Ann Selle came up with the idea for the cushion in 1994 after a friend went through treatment for breast cancer.
‘’Our Zonta volunteers from the St George and Sutherland Shire have created more than 10,000 of these cushions over the past 23 years,’’ she said.
‘’It’s a great example of something small that continues to make a big difference many years later.
“We will be aiming to stuff and stitch around 50 cushions with the help of Club Central staff, which is about a two-month supply for patients in St George Hospital, St George Private Hospital and Sutherland Hospital.’’
If you know someone who would benefit from a Zonta Breast Care Cushion, contact the Zonta Club of Botany Bay on botanybay@zontadistrict24.org.