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You are here  : Home Press 2009 Press Releases 2009 Heartfelt Thanks to the American Women of Surrey
Heartfelt Thanks to the American Women of Surrey
Written by Communications Team   

The American Women of Surrey (AWS) have donated their time and energy to the Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospital Breast Cancer Unit through their contribution of 125 heart-shaped pillows to bring comfort to breast cancer patients.
 
The Heart Pillow project was recently launched by AWS with the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas (FAWCO) and the American Women’s Club of London. The pillow is designed and shaped to fit perfectly supporting the armpit, to ease the pain and increase the comfort for the patient after surgery as it is not unusual to experience tension where there is swelling of the lymph nodes underneath the arm. AWS held “sew, stuff and package days” over two days in one of the members house to produce the pillows. The pillows were funded by selling specially designed heart cards and donations from Mail Boxes, Etc, Weybridge; Fabric Warehouse, Weybridge and John Lewis of Kingston.
 
The pillows were originally discovered in the United States at the Erlanger Breast Resource Center and were brought to Denmark by Nancy Ruth Friis-Jensenl. In 2006, she inaugurated the project at The American Women’s Club in Denmark, FAWCO, and Pink Tribute, Danish a fundraising group for breast cancer projects.  In 2009, numerous FAWCO clubs around the world are involved in the project.
 
 
 
Group photograph in corridor in St Peter’s Hospital of the American Women of Surrey and the Breast Care Unit team. (Second from left in black blazer and white necklace) President Peggy Strode; (male at back of group) Consultant surgeon Mr Tayo Johnson; (second from right at front) Lead Breast Care Nurse, Regina Santos.

 
Said Regina Santos, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals Lead Breast Care Nurse: “We’re happy that the American Women of Surrey have chosen our hospital for this donation. It will bring cheer and comfort to our patients, after having has a breast cancer operation. The heart shape of the pillow shows the love and kindness AWS members have and both our patients and staff at the Breast Care Unit are grateful for this gift.”
 
Said Peggy Strode, AWS President: “We are delighted to be involved with the Breast Care Unit at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital. Directly or indirectly, we have all been touched by breast cancer. We are thankful to the hospital for giving us the opportunity to make a difference to women in our new home country.”
 
People who want to know more about the heart pillows or would like to make one themselves, can visit http://www.heartpillow.dk for more information and a pattern for the pillows.