DOHA: To promote well-being of women living with breast cancer in Qatar, American Women’s Association of Qatar (AWAQ) donated a silk painting — representing the unity between breast cancer patients, their supporters and those trying to raise awareness about the prevention of the disease — to the Breast Unit at Hamad General Hospital (HGH).
Presented to the multi-disciplinary team at the unit, the painting builds on the success of ongoing Heart Pillow Project established between Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and AWAQ last year to support patients recovering from breast cancer surgery.
The painting is an amalgamation of the creativity of many women who created it at an AWAQ coffee morning. It contains the long-established, international symbol of the pink ribbon, which represents the importance of breast cancer awareness, coupled with ladies in pink abayas, representing local traditional dress. The heart-shaped lips of the women in the painting represent the project.
The painting will adorn a wall in the Breast Unit, established in HGH to provide space to women with breast cancer, ensuring they are able to receive the best possible care with greater privacy and dignity.
Clinics within the unit provide specialist services and support to women from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
Cathie McKirdy, Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist, Breast Unit, said, “Dealing with breast cancer is difficult and patients often experience conflicting emotions where they tend to give in to negative thoughts, resulting in a loss of self-esteem.
“We recognise that in addition to treatment, patients require psychological and emotional support. We always try to find better ways to improve our patients’ quality of life, uplift their spirits and help them live with confidence.”
Under the project, about 300 patients have been provided with a tote bag, a hand-sewn heart-shaped pillow, which can be placed under the arm for comfort post-surgery, an assortment of toiletries such as shampoos, shower gels, body lotions and dental kits and a personalised card wishing patients love and hope.
AWAQ also provides funds for women unable to afford breast prostheses. It is also working with the new Palliative Care Unit at HMC’s National Centre for Cancer Care and Research, where it has assisted in hand painting stencils in new rooms, halls and the corridors and donated toiletries for families there with an end-of-life patient.
The Peninsula
