Prosthetic breast program struggles to survive
By Mike Baird, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Texas | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"Our body is somewhat symmetric," said Merritt, a 17-year breast cancer survivor who has worked 16 of those years helping other women feel whole after mastectomies. "When you have a breast missing it throws you off.
"I call my prosthetic breast 'my bosom buddy,'" she laughed, "I'm not that large, but without it my back hurts. You feel like you're walking sideways.
"I wouldn't leave home without it."
Merritt is a volunteer breast prosthesis and mastectomy bra fitter, formerly with
"This program is of utmost importance," Merritt said, "because a lot of people we serve do not have insurance, or they make too much to get
In the first six weeks, the foundation fitted 44 Coastal Bend women, and in 12 weeks fitted more than 80 women -- 18 with double mastectomies.
Prostheses come in many shapes and sizes, requiring a significant inventory to serve all body types. The foundation needs individual gifts and is seeking grants to maintain the program. The company that makes the weighted silicon prosthetics, Amoena, has a minimum order requirement of
To ensure success, the foundation's Office Manager
All are hoping this month will help.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The annual awareness campaign promotes early cancer detection plans, emphasizes educational resources and promotes fundraisers to provide mammograms for women in need. But those initiatives don't include prosthetics or mastectomy bras for Coastal Bend women in need. The foundation's prosthesis program serves women in 12 counties with a population of more than 570,000 people, nearly half of which live in rural communities with high unemployment and poverty.
"Because we're grant-based there is no extra money," Goldson said. "But when we heard this prosthetic program was going to fall through the cracks, we got the existing inventory on a hope and prayer we could continue it. Somehow it's going to happen, it's been a mission of faith.
"Women started coming out of the woodwork."
The foundation board's attitude is the same it was when it began serving the HIV/AIDS community in 1986, she said.
No different from being diagnosed with HIV, the impact of having a breast amputated is physical, social and psychological.
There are many reasons women choose not to have reconstruction surgery, Goldson said.
"I tell them, if you need a prosthesis, come and get it."
Goldson has worked in social services most of her life, she said. But learning to fit women with prosthetic breasts has impacted her life more than she expected.
"Women come in and bare their soul," she said. "Most women want to survive cancer and many don't (survive). But those who do, feel lopsided. They just need the opportunity to have a normal life -- go to the grocery and look normal. One woman getting married, came in here with a washcloth wadded in her bra. She just wanted to wear a pretty dress, and could with a prosthetic that fit properly in a mastectomy bra.
"So many tears are shed in this little room, because the emotions go so deep, we're providing so much more than just a prosthetic."
Grantham fitted a nun in her late 80s, still serving parishioners, she said.
"She's such a wonderful soul," Grantham said. "It has given me a lesson in the resilience of the human spirit."
A donation directly to Breast Friends doesn't buy employee coffee, pay salaries, rent or utilities, Goldson said.
"Every penny to Breast Friends," she said, "will go to some woman in the Coastal Bend who will walk out of here feeling whole again."
Twitter: @Caller_BizMike
BREAST FRIENDS
Who:
What: Breast prosthetic and mastectomy bra program
Where:
Cost: Free
HOW TO HELP
Donate online: www.cbwellness.org
Mail:
Breast Friends, 5633 S.
Community Champions Golf Tournament:
What: Annual fundraiser dedicated to
Breast Friends
When:
Where:
Register: Online at www.cbwellness.org/community-champions.html
Tournament sponsorship:
Platinum --
Gold --
Silver --
Bronze --
Hole --
Team of four --
Information: Contact
Source:
BREAST FRIENDS ANNUAL BUDGET
General office supplies --
Breast prostheses --
Mastectomy bras --
Telephone --
Rent --
Equipment lease --
External audit --
Insurance --
Postage --
Volunteer training --
Total --
Source:
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