A simple bean-shaped pillow has brought comfort to hundreds of post-operative mastectomy patients, thanks to the efforts of the members of St. Peter Lutheran Church’s LWML Ladies Guild.
Using double layers of soft fleece, the women cut shapes, cut slits around the edges to form ties, tie the ties and stuff the forms with fiberfill. The pillow is made without sewing. The completed pillows are donated to Porter Hospital in Valparaiso, St. Mary’s in Hobart and the Cancer Society. Patients are given the pillows immediately after surgery and can use them to provide support and comfort and as a protection while wearing a seatbelt.
The idea for the Mastectomy Pillow Service Project came from St. Peter member Betty Hull. Her daughter had received one following her surgery in another state. Hull suggested the project to St. Peter.
According to Ladies Guild president Nan Petro, the women have made and donated about 200 pillows in the past year and a half.
“Sometimes we gather at church to work on them together, and some ladies take them home to work on, too."
“Jo-Ann Fabrics has been good about letting us know when there is a sale on the fleece or stuffing or when new patterns come in. We choose cheerful colors, and we just want the people who receive them to know that somebody cares about them and is praying for their recovery,” Petro said.
To this end, a laminated bookmark is attached to each pillow. It has the church’s logo and the words: “From your friends at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Portage, IN. As you hold this pillow, may it be a reminder that you are loved and that we are praying for you. May God give you peace and may you find comfort in knowing that He is with you every single moment. ‘Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.’ 1 Peter 5:7/ Sharing God’s Love, The People of St. Peter Lutheran Church.”
The bookmarks are printed and laminated at X-Press Printing in Portage.
Recently, the project was recognized by Porter Hospital.
“Once a month, we have ‘jeans day,’” Porter nurse and St. Peter member Deb Barniville said. “If we want to wear jeans to work, we can pay and the money raised is donated to a local charity. The minimum donation is one dollar but people often give more because it’s going to a good cause. We’ve donated to places like the Food Pantry, the Animal Shelter and the Caring Place. There are a lot of people and agencies that need money, so I was really pleased that they chose the Pillow Project.”
The money raised by the hospital will be used to buy material for more pillows.
Barniville acts as liaison between St. Peter and Porter, taking the completed pillows to the hospital. Project chairman, Pam Hass, takes the pillows to St. Mary’s.
If you would like to assist in this project, either by donating or by helping make the pillows, please call the St. Peter office between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 762-2673.
St. Peter is a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. Sunday services are 8:00 a.m. for the contemporary service and 10:30 a.m. for the traditional service. For further information, go to www.stpeterportage.com.
Photo: St. Peter Ladies Guild members (l to r) Brenda Busch, Jolene Wilson, Amy VanderLugt, Susan Wells, Pam Hass, Donna Pleasant and Susan Anderson work on pillows for the Mastectomy Pillow Service Project.