Heart shaped pillows donated for breast cancer patients

Members of the Trefoil Guild from across East Sussex have donated 75 handmade heart-shaped pillows for women to use as an aid following breast cancer surgery.  Director of Nursing Alice Webster was presented with the pillows by local members of the Trefoil Guild.

Breast cancer patients are given heart-shaped pillows to help their recovery. The pillows help to soothe both the physical and emotional pain immediately after surgery, radiation or other treatment. Their heart shape means they can be placed under the arm to take pressure off the area, ease pain from surgery and help to reduce surgical swelling under the arm.

Every pillow is given out with the following message in the shape of a heart.

“This is to take the pressure off your arm and /or your breast on your sore and sensitive chest after a mastectomy or lumpectomy for breast cancer, or during radiation treatments.

It fits under a seatbelt or under your arm and doesn’t move all over the place.

It fills a space left empty after a mastectomy, giving you a more comfortable rest when lying on your side. 

And finally, the heart shape speaks of love as well as giving physical comfort.”

Alice Webster Director of Nursing said: “We are extremely grateful to the Trefoil Guild for their hard work in making so many heart-shaped pillows. I know these pillows will be of a practical aid at what is a difficult time for so many women.”

The pillows were handmade by Trefoil Guild members from across the county and the idea has been shared with members from around the country. The Trefoil Guild is ‘guiding for adults’ and a source of fun and friendship keeping alive the spirit of the Guide and Scout Promises.