AWC Going Dutch Sept Oct 2021

Heart Pillow Project
by Jan de Vries
AWC volunteers meet monthly to
bring comfort to lumpectomy and
mastectomy patients by making and
donating heart-shaped pillow sets to local
hospitals. The pillows are not just symbolic,
but rather an ergonomic design which
reduces the weight of a patient’s arm on
their operative area. We know from feedback
from patients, nurses and doctors that
the pillows really do provide both physical
and psychological comfort to the recipients.
Moreover, patients write to us that they
feel the emotional support from a team of
women they don’t even know, making them
feel connected to the wider world during
their lonely journey. AWC Member, Jen
van Ginhoven, and her team of cutters and
sewers do a splendid job of preparing each
pillow to be completed with TLC during our
workshops where we stuff, close, gift-wrap
and sign our names prior to delivery to local
hospitals. It is important to note that no
sewing skills are required to participate in
our workshops. We will give you the tools
and guidance you need to make a meaningful
contribution to the process.
Currently, coronavirus restrictions
dictate the number of participants in our
workshops with social distancing measures
remaining in place for the foreseeable future.
Accordingly, this means a maximum of
eight participants for each session. Further,
you must register via the Wild Apricot app
or website calendar in order to attend. For
more information, feel free to contact Jan
de Vries info@awcthehague.org.
Proposed monthly workshop days will
be Fridays from 1 – 3 p.m. at the AWC
Clubhouse. There is no charge for participation―we
are just grateful for your
help! Come along and experience the
“feel-good factor” of providing a measure
of comfort to people who really need it.
Further dates or changes will be posted in
the weekly eNews.
24 GOING DUTCH
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021 25