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Zonta Breast Cushions
The diagnosis of breast cancer is never expected and can be the beginning o
f a traumatic and emotional journey for a woman and her family.
Gestures of kindness, whether from family and friends or from those we do not know can mean so much during this difficult time.
In 2005, the Zonta Clubs of Hatea and Whangarei undertook a wonderful project inspired by a Zonta member who had breast surgery. She found that a breast cushion helped her recovery and so the Hatea and Whangarei Zonta Clubs are making breast cushions as gifts for women who are experiencing discomfort post surgery. The Zonta Club of South Auckland also make the cushions to the same pattern.
The Zonta Club of Christchurch South, New Zealand, is the latest to join in the effort to produce Zonta breast care cushions as a service to women in their community. Club members first noticed this distinctive service project in a presentation by Districts 23 and 24 at the International Convention in Melbourne and decided to pursue it further back in the South Island.
First designed by a member of the Zonta Club of Botany Bay, the cushions are now being produced in a regular production line by Christchurch South members. Great credit must be given to one member who has donated a monumental degree of expertise, preparation time, and use of her home and equipment. The cushions are distributed to women throughout Canterbury by the local branch of the NZ Cancer Society, whose health promoter is also a Club member. There has been much feedback from women, grateful for this valuable addition to their post-operative comfort.
The breast cushions can be tucked under the arm for support while sleeping, used to protect from the pressure of a seat belt and can be worn under a jacket or blouse to prevent injury. The area of surgery can be quite vulnerable for some time and even the accidental bump from a passer-by’s elbow or handbag can cause pain.
The breast cushions are washable and quick to dry and come beautifully wrapped with a note from the Zonta Clubs.
Anne Richards of Zonta says no payment is expected for the cushions but donations are always welcome to help the women continue their work.
For Northland/Auckland breast cushions can be obtained from:
Anne Richards
(09) 459 7161 or they can be ordered by writing to:
Zonta Clubs of Hatea and Whangarei,
PO Box 1503,
Whangarei.
For women in South Auckland:
Please contact Mavis Shuker (09) 238 5433 or Margaret Sheppard (09) 238 6355
or write to : Zonta Club of South Auckland, PO Box 272 1289, Papakura
For women in the Bay of Plenty region:
Julie Blake
Breast Cancer Support Services Tauranga Trust
bcsstga@clear.net.nz
(07) 571 3346
In Canterbury, please contact the Canterbury division of the NZ Cancer Society at (03) 379 5835 or by email.
About Zonta
Zonta International is a global organisation of business and professional women with headquarters in Chicago, USA. There are over 1,254 clubs with 33,000 members in 68 countries worldwide.
Founded in 1919 in Buffalo, New York, Zonta takes its name from a Sioux Indian word meaning ‘honest and trustworthy’.
New Zealand’s Zonta Clubs make up District 16 with over 800 members in 28 clubs.
One of Zonta’s primary objectives is ‘to serve the community at a global and local level’ and 'Zontians' are committed to providing service and advocacy and improving the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women worldwide.
