Heart-Shaped Pillows Made By Woodbridge Woman’s Club Comfort Cancer Patients

WOODBRIDGE, VA — With just a needle, sewing materials and their own hands, the Woodbridge Woman's Club is bringing comfort to cancer patients at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.

Twice a month, Woodbridge Woman's Club members will gather at the hospital's Sentara Cancer Network Resource Center to sew heart-shaped pillows and other comfort items. They donate the items free of charge to Sentara's cancer and surgery patients.

"We cannot thank the Woodbridge Woman’s Club volunteers enough for their ongoing passion and caring by using their sewing skills to create these pillows and cancer bags that are such a tangible sign that people care," said Jeff Joyner, president of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.

Woodbridge Woman's Club member Phyllis Zimmerman started the project nine years ago after the club president asked her to find a project beneficial to the community as chairperson of the club's home life section.

"I discovered these pillows that I thought we could make," said Zimmerman. "They are helpful to women with breast cancer because the long ties on the pillow allow you to easily carry it with you, and by adjusting the ties, you can position it under your arm to bring relief where you might be feeling very tender."

The project initially provided the handmade pillows to breast cancer patients but has expanded to patients battling other types of cancer, radiology patients and heart patients. To date, the Woodbridge Woman's Club effort has produced more than 1,000 pillows. Last year, the club made 170 pillows.

The handmade pillows are made with fabric donated by the community, ribbons and stuffing. Each comes with a special Woodbridge Woman's Club label.

"The specific shape of these pillows is designed to be not only comfortable, but a visible reminder of the love and support going out to people who are dealing with a cancer or other serious medical diagnosis," said Sentara's Cancer Navigator Heather Byrne. "Every person who receives one of these beautiful pillows is touched to know its origin."

The club makes other handmade items, such as cancer support bags for Sentara's oncology patients. The bags are sewn and contain items to comfort patients — games, cards, crossword puzzles, tissues, lip balm, hand lotion and a comfort blanket. Their latest project was handmade seatbelt pillows to provide comfort in the car for chemotherapy patients with a medical port implanted in their chest.

The Woodbridge Woman's Club has been recognized with awards for its pillow-making project, including the Award of Excellence for the Best Single Project, Large Club in a Health & Wellness Community Service Program from the General Federation of Women's Clubs Northern District. The club welcomes new volunteers to help with the project or others.