It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we’re raising awareness by inspiring you! Do you want to help women fight Breast Cancer, and make it a little less painful? Consider making an Anti-Ouch Pouch!
American Sewing Guild member Flo Schneider, of Valparaiso, adjusts the shoulder strap on the “Anti-Ouch Pouch” being demonstrated by Suzanne Ruiz, RN, MS” NP-C, certified Breast Health Navigator at the Women’s Diagnostic Center in Munster.
Why the Anti-Ouch Pouch?
Sewing enthusiast and cancer survivor Deon Maas had firsthand experience using an uncomfortable bed pillow to cushion her arm and chest following a mastectomy. As a result, she designed and developed the Anti-Ouch Pouch to address specific post-surgical needs of breast cancer patients.
The Anti-Ouch Pouch is a lightly-filled, wedge-shaped pillow that hangs from an adjustable shoulder strap. It fits snugly under the arm to cushion and support the area after breast surgery or during radiation treatment.
Deon explained that the project lends itself to community sewing because it can be produced in an assembly line fashion. Her American Sewing Guild Chapter in Central Illinois has already made between 5,000 and 8,000 Anti-Ouch Pouches that are given free to post-surgical patients.
American Sewing Guild Service Project
The Anti-Ouch Pouch was named the American Sewing Guild’s 2008 National Service Project and remains a favorite community service sewing project today.
As mammography has gotten more sophisticated and increasing numbers of breast cancer are being detected early, the use of Anti-Ouch Pouches continues to increase. Deon noted they are also helpful for individuals recovering from a broken arm as well.