Drouin CWA project reaching far
The Drouin Anglican Opportunity Shop recently made a donation of $1000 to the Drouin CWA to assist them in making bags to house chemo bottles for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
The idea for this bag was instigated by a CWA colleague who was experiencing her initial treatment and the nylon bag issued to her was not comfortable nor attractive.
Thus the June Laurel Chemo Bottle Bag Project begun.
Drouin CWA president Yvonne Tindle designed a fabric bag which could be worn securely across the body to carry not only the bottle for treatment, but included a front zip pocket giving easy access to treatment cards and a mobile phone if needed.
The reaction from the oncology staff was such that they wished they could supply a bag to every patient.
Upon investigation Yvonne discovered there was no equivalent bag available and yet there was a definite need.
It was decided that not only would the CWA sew these bags to supply the local oncology centre, but would like to make them available across the state.
The CWA Victoria Community Support committee embraced this project, declaring it an official project for 2017.
As well as running workshops and demonstrations in other areas, the Drouin branch are now making available the instructions to other CWA groups on how to make these bags.
A kit comprising a completed bag plus two partially made bags just to demonstrate some of the steps involved are mailed to them.
And when participants have shown a bag to their local oncology centre, they have been met with approval, so there are now women sewing bags and supplying their own local areas.
Drouin CWA recently sent their first kit and instructions to Queensland, where two groups are keen to produce the bags.
The Drouin Opportunity Shop congratulated Yvonne Tindle and the local CWA for instigating this project.
It appears that everyone wants to get involved and make a difference to assist all patients receiving this treatment.