Somers Woman Makes Pillows For Hospital’s Breast Cancer Patients

CARMEL, NY — When breast cancer patients have surgery at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, they receive a soft, handmade pillow thanks to a woman who knows what it’s like to be in their place. Maria Giewat, of Somers, had breast surgery at Putnam Hospital Center in 2016 and a friend, she said, had given her a pillow to ease her pain.

With the help of other friends, Giewat has since been paying it forward, making heart-shaped pillows for breast cancer patients at the hospital.

So far, she has delivered 540 pillows.

“I feel so good knowing that I’m bringing someone else comfort after their surgery,” Giewat said.

Maureen O’Connor, a nurse liaison in Surgical Services, collects the pillows and hands them out to patients post-surgery, stressing how much they appreciate the gift and gesture.

“It warms their heart,” O’Connor said. “Maria has truly touched so many lives in the community.”

For more information on breast cancer screenings and services at Putnam Hospital Center, go here.

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