GFWC-Mira Mesa

Junior Women’s Club

The “Comfort Pillow” Project

P.O. Box 261226

San Diego, Ca. 92196-1226

The purpose of this fact sheet is to share an exciting project we have been working on and to ask for your help. This project involves a service to women with breast cancer. Breast Cancer. Yes, it’s scary. The diagnosis is not necessarily a death sentence. It still means treatment--usually lumpectomy or mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and even re-constructive surgery.

In 2000, it is estimated that 43,300 women and 400 men would be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. It is also estimated that every 3 minutes a woman will be diagnosed and that 1 in 7 will be at risk in San Diego alone, with San Diego ranking the highest in the nation. Approximately 1.8 Million women and 1200 men will be diagnosed with invasive Breast Cancer by the end of the Decade.

What Is A Comfort Pillow?

It’s a small, soft, washable pillow a patient can place between her body and arm to relieve discomfort. It can reduce the amount of pain and provide both physical and emotional comfort during treatment and recovery. It can also be used in the car between you and your shoulder strap or while sleeping.

How Does This Project Work?

Mira Mesa Junior Women’s Club is a non-profit community service organization. We have been making and distributing Comfort Pillows for 6 years; FREE of charge. Anyone can request a pillow, whether it be for them-self, a friend, or family member. From comments we have received, the pillow is indeed a comfort during a difficult time.

Many women do not know that Comfort Pillows are available. The American Cancer Society uses them as part of their Reach for Recovery Program, but they can only respond to patient requests. We want to get the word out to all Breast Cancer Patients. Pillows are supplied directly to patients upon request.

Suzy Spafford, who draws Suzy’s Zoo characters, designed our logo and supports this project. The members of Mira Mesa Junior Women’s Club hold fundraising events throughout the year in order to cover the cost of supplies and postage, thus enabling us to distribute the pillows free of charge.

What Can You Do To Help?

Your help in spreading the word and expanding the project would be greatly appreciated. We need people who can Make the pillows (patterns and specifications provided) for distribution in their area, Find stores willing to donate materials and stuffing, Contact their local hospitals, hospices, cancer support groups, etc. to offer them pillows. Donate money to fund the ongoing effort (making and distribution of pillows can be costly), or find a company or group that can help underwrite part of the costs or provide supplies.

This is a wonderful opportunity for women to help other women. We hope that you will help us in our support of Women with Breast Cancer.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

If you would like a pillow or wish to send a pillow to someone,

E-Mail us at comfortpillow@san.rr.com

or

Write us at

Comfort Pillow Project

P.O. Box 261226

San Diego, Ca 92196-1226

Please provide the NAME and MAILING ADDRESS of the person to receive this Comfort Pillow.

Orders will be shipped within 7 days of receipt. All requests remain confidential.

This is a service of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Mira Mesa Junior Women’s Club, Founders of “The Comfort Pillow Project.”

The Comfort Pillow Project is in its 6th year. The Comfort Pillow is designed to comfort post operative Breast Cancer Patients.

We have grown from supplying one chapter of the American Cancer Society to filling the needs of numerous hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices, as well as 5 chapters of the American Cancer Society throughout San Diego. We also send pillows, upon receiving request from family, friends and patients. Since its inception, we have distributed over 10,000 pillows. Other clubs and districts throughout the United States have also been very busy by making and distributing pillows.

We are now working with the Baja California Cancer Association to distribute our pillows throughout Mexico.

On behalf of the Comfort Pillow Committee we would like to wish you well. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to you all.

GFWC

Mira Mesa Junior Women’s Club

Comfort Pillow Project