Great Domaines and FPM donated hand-painted tote bags filled with much-needed surgery and chemotherapy care products to the Breast Health Foundation for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in need.
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With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, FPM, a financial services company, and its sister company, Great Domaines, a fine wine importer and wholesaler, elected to support Breast Health Foundation as their chosen breast cancer organisation.
“We have all, in one way or another, been affected by cancer and with it being October, it made sense that we do something to support the fight against breast cancer. There are many ladies facing treatment and if our small contribution could make some of their experiences a little better, then we achieved what we set out to do,” says Simon Crawley (Sales and Communication, Great Domaines).
Paint day
On the 24th October 2022, Great Domaines and FPM employees, some of their family members, and mutual friends of Great Domaines and FPM enjoyed a fun and creative day where each person hand-painted a message on fabric. “Everyone left feeling elated and that a positive contribution was made. We trust that our messages of hope will bring a little comfort to breast cancer patients,” Simon says.
The fabric was then transformed into tote carry bags, and the list, given by Breast Health Foundation, of useful care items needed after surgery or during chemotherapy were bought and placed inside the bags. These items included: face cloth, bath soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, body lotion, bicarbonate of soda, Vaseline, notepad and pen, positive words bookmark, socks, wet wipes, cheese snacks, ginger biscuits and sweets, and a water squeeze bottle.
Walking the path
The bags were delivered to Breast Health Foundation in December 2022. Simon goes on to say, “Our aim was to make the journey that breast cancer patients face a little lighter and hopefully they feel that somehow we are walking the path with them. A lot of emotional energy, love and care went into making these bags.”
Public health patients
Most of the bags have already been handed out to patients in need who are undergoing surgery or first-time chemotherapy at public health hospitals, such as Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Steve Biko Academic Hospital and Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital.