The Heart Pillow’s Purpose: The Heart Pillow aims to encourage healing, offer support, and provide comfort to breast cancer patients. It serves a dual role, addressing both physical and emotional needs immediately after surgery, or treatment. Specifically designed to be placed under the patient’s arm or the surgical area, the heart pillow offers protection against bumps, bruises, and pressure during the recovery period.
Moreover, the versatility of the heart pillow extends its utility to patients recovering from lung surgery. Placed over the chest during breathing exercises, it becomes a source of comfort and tangible support, providing something to hold onto during the challenging recovery phase. The heart pillow has proven to be especially cherished by children at the hospice bringing smiles to even the most unwell kids. The heart shape and vibrant colours speak volumes about love, requiring no words to convey warmth and compassion. This heartwarming feedback from the hospice team truly touches our hearts and reinforces the impact of our mission.
Our Mission and Vision
MISSION: Heart2Heart Projects is dedicated to crafting heart pillows for breast cancer patients, terminally ill children, and other patients; providing comfort during recovery and challenging times. Our mission is fuelled by a group of dedicated volunteers who share a heart for care and love, creating tangible expressions of compassion through hand-made heart pillows.
VISION: Our vision is to spread love and hope, fostering a space for heart-to-heart conversations. We aim to connect individuals who have traversed challenging journeys such as breast cancer survival, loss, or other difficult experiences. Heart2Heart Projects seeks to establish a comfortable environment where mutual support is shared through personal narratives and life experiences.
The Story: The inspiration for Heart2Heart Projects emerged from a young girl named Lily who moved to Australia with her family, and while in Germany, saw a project on TV about making heart pillows for breast cancer patients. Lily showed Minerva (Minnie) and a group of ladies the pillows, and recognizing the potential impact, Minerva took up the cause, connecting with Lily and initiating the heart pillow as a church and community endeavor.
Minerva collaborated with the McGrath nurse at her workplace and together with Lily, and Lorraine, started planning and even giving it the name Heart2Heart. The Heart2Heart Project became a reality in March 2019. The first 50 pillows were delivered in May 2019, marking the beginning of a journey that has seen the distribution of over 200 pillows to various hospitals and communities in the first year.
Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the project persevered. With the collaboration of Sydney Adventist Women and the heartwarming tradition of delivering 200 pillows annually to Bear Cottage Hospice. Heart2Heart Projects expanded its reach, providing comfort not just to breast cancer patients but also to terminally ill children and even extending support during humanitarian crises like the Ukraine war.
