Service projects
Breast care cushions
Comfort for women — and men — in the post-operative phase of breast surgery, made from beginning to end by our members.
In the beginning
One member’s idea, now made in clubs across Zonta
The cushion was not designed in a factory. It was designed by a Zonta member who listened to a friend, and it spread from her club to a District and then to ours.
1994
Designed
Ann Selle, a member of the Zonta Club of Botany Bay in New South Wales, designs the cushion after hearing from a friend about the difficulty of recovering from breast surgery.
2002
A District project
A project that started out in one club is adopted by Zonta as a District project.
2003
Taken on here
The Zonta Club of Melbourne on Yarra takes on the project, and has made the cushions ever since.
How the cushion helps
Comfort where it is needed most
Zonta Breast Care Cushions provide comfort to women (and men) in the post-operative phase of breast surgery. Cushions are supplied to most hospitals in each area and distributed by Breast Care Nurses.
Sit, sleep and rest
The cushion supports the chest and arm so a woman can sit, sleep and rest comfortably while she recovers.
Protection from bumps
It prevents the hurt of knocks and bumps while walking around, at home or in hospital.
Comfort under a seat belt
It takes the pressure of a seat belt off the surgical site, which makes travelling bearable.
About 2% of breast cancers occur in men, and the Zonta Breast Care Cushion is certainly provided to men on request.
How the project works
Made start to finish at friendly workshops
A Zonta club undertakes to keep one or more hospitals in their area supplied with the Zonta Breast Care Cushions.
The Zonta Club of Melbourne on Yarra makes the cushions from the beginning to end, using the work of club members at friendly workshops held regularly at a member’s home. We supply the Epworth Hospital along with six other hospitals.
Supported by
The City of Yarra
Donations required
What we can use, and what we cannot
Materials are donated by members and supporters. Because every cushion is handmade and goes to someone recovering from surgery, the fabric has to be right — so please check this list before you buy or bring anything.
Clean and never used sewing materials
Fabric or ribbon — 1 metre minimum
Ric-rac or lace — 0.5 metre minimum
We will accept
Easy to sew fabrics — pure cotton, cotton/poly blend
Patterned material — multi coloured, stripes, spots, floral
Plain material that can be dressed up with ric-rac or lace
We can NOT accept
Polar fleece, flannelette, woollen or wool blend, felt
Jersey, velour, sheer fabrics, stretchy knit
Slippery fabrics such as satin or polyester lining material
Dull dark colours
Children’s themes, Christmas themes
Heavy furnishing fabric, canvas, rubber backed material
Scraps of fabric
The details
What to bring, and how much
Cushions
1 metre of 112 cm width fabric will make 3 cushions
100% soft cotton such as cotton lawn, in light plain colours
Drawstring bags
Used to store the cushion and hold drainage tubes whilst in hospital. Tasteful and appealing fabric to brighten the recipient’s day.
1 metre of 112 cm width fabric will make 2 bags
Ribbon
1 metre of ribbon is required per bag
Ribbon width between 7 mm and 10 mm
Colours — pale pink, bright pink, red, white, teal, light yellow, golden yellow, blue, light green, purple
Bag decoration
Ric-rac — red, yellow, blue, pink
Lace — various widths
Lace — white and off white
Other supplies
Good quality all-purpose sewing thread in white, off white, light pink, light yellow and grey
Elastic — 6 mm width
Pins and needles
Get involved
Help us make them
If you would like to know more about the Breast Care Cushion project, assist the club by donating cash or materials, or volunteer at a workshop, please contact the Zonta Club of Melbourne on Yarra. A donation of $10 makes one cushion — use the reference BCC so we can credit it to this project.