From the Heart Pillow Project
FROM THE HEART PILLOW PROJECT WINS A € 1000 AWARD !
BY TRACY M .
The From the Heart Pillow Project ( FHPP ) won an award from the ECE Projektmanagement GmbH & Co . KG , a German company located in Hamburg . ECE develops , implements , rents , and operates shopping centers .
One of our members , Nina Thimm , treasurer 2007-2009 , works for ECE in their offices in Poppenbüttel . She became aware of their internal competition “ Du und Dein Ehrenamt ,“ which draws attention to employees ’ important volunteer commitments and contributions to society in local sports clubs , theater organizations , social clubs , and other similar institutions .
Nina felt the FHPP was worthy of ECE ’ s support , so in February she submitted the application that she and I worked on . In the last week of August , the awards were announced , and the FHPP won one of five prizes , each worth € 1000 !
Part of the application was to explain why we do what we do : “ We are a group of Englishspeaking women dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer patients and supporting their need for comfort and wellbeing during a difficult medical period .
“ We sew colorful heart pillows and drainage bottle bags for breast cancer patients , which are given to them after their operation . The surprising side effect of the pillow with its very special shape is that it fits ideally under the arm , takes the pressure off the surgical scar , and thus relieves wound pain . The drainage bottle bags give the patients confidence to walk the hospital halls without the embarrassment of the unpleasant wound discharge bottles hanging on their side . Both the pillows and
bags cheer the patients immensely .
“ And the emotional aspect is also important to us : the pillow is also a gift from heart to heart and gives a little comfort and strength from woman to woman / man . They are a gift , a symbol of warmth and humanity , of hope and confidence , and are intended to show the women and men concerned that ‘ You are not alone !’”
Those of us involved in the AWCH ’ s FHPP are surprised and honored to receive such an award . How will this prize money help us ? We are now able to purchase more fabric and filling for future working bees and finally treat our sewing machines to a spa treatment !
A special thank-you to Nina and ECE for helping our project thrive .
Photo of Jess M ., Tracy M ., and Susans . -W . Photos of Ohlsdorf bike tour also provided by Tracy M .
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