Subject: Thank you from a newly boobless babe!
Hello everyone, my name is Mika and I just left Banner University Medical Center in Tucson today. after a double mastectomy for recurrent breast cancer.
I received the care package from my oncology team and I want to say a “thank you so very much!”
This particular package was made by Michelle from Alberta, Canada, and Mesa Arizona.
I feel so good having these pillows and the apron and tie -- both for practical purposes, because they have already proven super helpful, and for more emotional purposes, because I feel and welcome your support of people like me, people who you've never met but you know are going through some really hard stuff. Your time and expertise and kindness are deeply appreciated.
So thank you, Michelle, and everyone in this wonderful organization! Thank you so much!
Best,
Mika (pronounced MEE-kah, she/her pronouns)
Seen here posing with my pillow.
My dog, Iggy, by the way, definitely approves the message!
Cornelia Merritt just celebrated her 105th birthday. Cornelia resides in Indiana and she has made 340 "knitted knockers." She recently decided she would be hanging up her knitting needles. And, YES! She is absolutely as sweet as they come!
Mother Daughter Volunteers – Marge Arend & Kay Chalupa -
Kay describes how they became involved with B&BB:
My story on getting involved with Bag & Boob Babes begins with my sister-in-law, Jolene. She fought a very brave battle after being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 42. Her battle lasted 11 years with some cancer-free time but then it came back and we lost her at age 53. Since that time, our family has participated in various organizations to fund raise for breast cancer including; Relay for Life, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, American Cancer Society, and The Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center.
After my husband and I retired, we started wintering in Mesa to escape the dreary Ohio winters and to be close to my mother, Marge Arend. My parents had been snowbirds from Iowa for over 20 years and we always enjoyed spending spring break in Arizona. Once here, my mom’s friend, Erlene Grimes, told Mom and then eventually me about this organization. Mom and Erlene were involved in B&BB at Val Vista Villages.
My husband and I bought a place in Hacienda and I started attending the meetings with them. I also joined in to meet people here in this park.
Mom and I both love to sew and this is a wonderful organization to help people with breast cancer so it is a win-win for us. My sister, Deb, joins us for the month of March and while she is not a sewer she cuts and helps in other ways.
Last April, I discovered that the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center was one of the sites requesting drain aprons from B&BB founder, Marilyn Reed. This facility in Columbus, OH is the Ohio State University’s breast cancer center. It is a 6-story stand-alone building next to OSU and, unfortunately, is very busy. My husband retired from OSU as the Investigation Drug Service Pharmacist and this cancer center was conducting over 100 medication clinical trials to treat or find a cure for breast cancer. Since I live in Columbus,
I volunteered to start supplying this center when I’m not in Arizona and it would also save significant mailing costs for B&BB.
I will admit, it’s a big project. My Mom sews a lot of kits and I also have some other sewers to help me. I have been supplying approximately 15 single apron kits and 35 double apron kits per month. They are always so happy to see me are and very, very appreciative.
The Columbus Breast Cancer Center loves receiving these kits!!
Kay Chalupa
We love hearing from recipients who receive our comfort products. It reinforces with our volunteers that their time and efforts are well spent and that they're able to help breast cancer patients after surgery as they undertake their breast cancer recovery journey.
Heartfelt messages are so greatly appreciated by all the Babes!
Just a few simple words from a recipient make all the difference in the world to all our volunteers!
Arizona
Thanks to Bag & Boob Babes, I have been enjoying the challenges of cutting and crafting many of the products created for use by patients of Bag & Boob Babes who are traveling on their breast cancer recovery journey. What many people don't realize is what a rewarding feeling it is to work with an organization that allows me to use my talents and skills to create products that are useful to those on their breast cancer recovery journey. Recently, I took on the role of managing the fabric and inventory of all sewn and knitted projects.
Artist & Painter - Wisconsin & AZ
Thanks to Bag & Boob Babes for giving me the opportunity to gather with others who like giving of their time and talents when creating products for others on their breast cancer journey.
Graphic Design Volunteer - Wisconsin & AZ
It is a wonderful honor for me to be able to use my past work experience in the graphic arts field to create printed materials for B&BB. And recently, B&BB gave me the opportunity to create this B&BB website. I'm so thankful to be a part of this amazing group of volunteers who work tirelessly to create comfort products for patients on their breast cancer recovery journey.
Breast Cancer Survivor – North Carolina
After I had my double mastectomy, I was so thankful that Bag & Boob Babes provided me with a double drain bag apron so I was comfortable on my breast cancer recovery journey.
Mesa, Arizona
I want to thank you all for my beautiful mastectomy kit.
The apron that held my drain bottles is the best gift ever and the pillows are fantastic too.
And I can't thank all of you ladies enough for the greatest gift ...
welcoming me into the B&BB group of volunteers. It's a fantastic, loving, kind and caring group of volunteers who give so much of their time to make these kits.
I'm also having a great time being involved with all the B&BB activities, especially the cardmaking and coloring of the cards.
Thank you again!
Jan