A voluntary group has come up with a novel way to offer practical support to breast cancer survivors.
Knitted Knockers Ireland provides free breast prostheses to women who have had a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Thousands of women in Ireland are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
Volunteers with the organisation knit or crochet these artificial breasts and they are available free from wool shops throughout the country. Needles N Wool at Barrack Street, Loughrea is the only shop distributing them in Galway city and county. Its proprietor, Noreen Daniels, was approached by the group and readily agreed to stock them.
They are a soft, lightweight alternative to the standard gel filled prosthesis and can fit into a regular bra where they take on the shape of a real breast.
The main benefit of knitted knockers over other prostheses is that they are light and comfortable, say wearers. They are free, too and are washable.
Now a global movement (the Irish organisation was set up in May 2015 by a woman called Anne Cooke whose friend was looking for an alternative prosthesis ), the organisation is keen to get more knitters involved as well as finding additional locations which will stock these products.
Anyone interested in requesting these free, knitted prosthesis or volunteering to knit or crochet them should email [email protected] or telephone (087 ) 1673220. The products are also available by dropping in to Needles N Wool in Loughrea.
