by Tharien van Eck, AWC Antwerp
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with more than 2.3 million new cases and roughly 670,000 deaths in 2022. By 2050, new cases are expected to rise by 38%. It is the leading cause of cancer death among women globally, accounting for one in four cancer cases in females. And while incidence is higher in developed nations, mortality is disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries.
At the Malta Interim Meeting, Tharien van Eck led a workshop exploring what FAWCO members can do to support breast cancer awareness and recovery in their own communities.
20 years of Heart Pillows in FAWCO
The Heart Pillow Project traces its origins to the Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2002, Janet Kramer-Mai had surgery for breast cancer. Her aunts sewed her a pillow to fit under her arm and relieve the discomfort of recovery. Janet later introduced the pillow to the hospital, where it continued to grow.
A few years later, Nancy Friis-Jensen, a Danish nurse, met Janet at a meeting in the US. She was so impressed with the heart-shaped pillow that she brought the design to AWC Denmark in 2006 and this FAWCO tradition was born.
Twenty years later, FAWCO clubs across Europe continue to stitch these pillows for breast cancer patients. A recent survey showed that about a third of responding clubs run active Heart Pillow Projects, and another 28% expressed interest in learning more.
What FAWCO clubs are doing
Beyond heart pillows, FAWCO clubs support breast cancer survivors in many ways:
- Drain bottle bags for post-surgery recovery
- Breast prostheses
- Chemotherapy port pillows
- Breast cancer lounges
- Partnerships with local hospitals and organizations
Clubs have also organized fundraising events, including charity walks and quilt auctions.
A FAWCO-wide initiative
The Health Team is now managing the Heart Pillow Project as a FAWCO-wide initiative. A standard packet of information is being developed for clubs interested in starting their own project, and the team presented at both the Malta Interim Meeting workshop and the April TLC call.
Hands-on learning
Workshop participants had the chance to make their own heart pillows, learning the simple pattern and techniques that have brought comfort to thousands of patients over two decades.
As one recipient wrote to AWC Antwerp: “After my surgery, I received two of your cushions, which proved indispensable for sleeping. It is wonderful that you thought of making these for patients. Four months later, I still use them to sleep comfortably.”