FOR 11 years local women have dedicated their time to making breast cushions for others who have had mastectomies and lumpectomies due to breast cancer.
The Breast Cushion Project for the Tamborine Mountain Lions Club have made over 10,000 cushions which they’ve donated to hospitals around the south-east.
They recently delivered a huge haul of 300 cushions to various hospitals.
Gail Molson, who had been involved with the project when it was run by the Zonta Club, brought the project over to the Lions Club in 2013.
“I’ve had breast cancer three times and Zonta gave me a breast cushion when I got it the first time in 2004 and it was so helpful,” Gail explained.
“When you sleep it gives you a cushioning and in the car it helps with the seat belt. In the shops you can wear it under your clothes to protect yourself when people inevitably bump into you.”
She said knowing first-hand how helpful they are she loves being able to give them to women and some men now.
In monthly emails to members Gail shares the output of the group as well as the many letters of gratitude from recipients.
There are now 32 women and one man, Ken Newman, who is in his 80s, who lost his wife several years ago, sewing the cushions on the mountain.
“Ken is amazing and looked up on Youtube how to sew them and said, ‘I can do that’ and he’s the best sewer,” she laughed.
One of the monthly working groups, dubbed “Jan’s Garage Girls’ made up of members from Creative Arts Inc, meet in Eagle Heights cut up and sew the cushions as well drainage bags used after surgery.
The project is self-funded through donations and the sale of pens at the chemist and the information centre.
