Zonta Breast Care Cushions A District 22 Endorsed

Zonta Breast Care Cushions A District 22 Endorsed Project “From Zonta With Love”

History • Initiative of Anne Selle, a Zontian in the Zonta Club of Botany Bay (District 24) • Endorsed as a District 24 Project at the 2001 District Conference • Became an Australia wide project when District 23 also endorsed the project

District 22 Endorsement • Our Club involvement continued with the project being endorsed at our Inaugural District 22 Conference in Townsville in 2009

Zonta Breast Care Cushions Principles • Not to be sold – always given as a “Gift from Zonta” • Made to a pattern by Zontians and friends

Statistics • 36 Clubs in District 22 involved in this project • Cushions distributed in 48 hospitals across the State and Northern NSW & through the Cancer Council, Breast Screen etc • Ad hoc requests for a cushion & these then mailed to the woman • Estimate 5350 cushions are distributed throughout our District each year

Value of the Cushion • Dollar value varies from Club to Club depending on how materials are sourced • Estimate per cushion $5+ plus labour • Add labour – eg purchase of materials, time making and wrapping the cushion could say $15 per cushion • 5350 cushions equate to $80, 250 per annum • Emotional value of the cushion only estimate based on thank you letters received eg

Value of the Cushion

Value of the Cushion • Breast Cancer Network of Australia • Promotion through the “My Journey” book given to women when diagnosed • Forums for women living with breast cancer • Feedback from these forums first

Other Supporting Items • Some Clubs also make and distribute Drainage Bags. • Zonta Club of Redcliffe Inc has produced a DVD “Side by Side” which has received a wide distribution. • Our Breast Cushion Project is promoted through the Breast Cancer Network Australia in its publication “My Journey”.

Why Continue with this Project? • The absolute positive comments made by women who have received the cushions far outweighs the cost of each cushion to the Club. • A “hands on” service which provides an opportunity for Club fellowship, involvement of others, promotional opportunities AND makes a difference in the lives of the women who receive the cushions.

Promotional Opportunity • October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month • Is your Club seeking media exposure using your Zonta Breast Cushion Project? • Start working on your local media NOW