October is back and for more than 25 years now, it resonates with the Pink October campaign and its now famous pink ribbon.
The Pink October campaign is here:
- to remind us of the importance of breast cancer screening,
- to raise funds for research
- to communicate about actions that help soften and/or improve the quality of life of patients treated for breast cancer.
For 15 years, I dedicated my professional career to the hospital environment and for more than 10 years, I accompanied patients with oncological pathologies. So Pink October is and remains very important to me. For a few months now, I have chosen another life path but I was determined to still be able to do something for Pink October... so when Lovely Solidarity contacted me to consider a collaboration, it was a bit of a sign of destiny!
What is Lovely Solidarity?
Lovely Solidarity is an ASBL created in 2019 in France by Edwige that aims to create a solidarity loop between seamstresses, hospitals, depots/stores, and of course patients. The idea came to Edwige when she herself was confronted with illness and the difficulties related to operations; notably with the placement of drains.
The purpose of the ASBL is to be able to offer bags specifically designed to hide drains (necessary for draining the operated breast) called the lovely bag. These bags, whose design is inspired by Japanese picnic bags, allow patients not to have the drains (which constantly remind them of the illness) in sight but also to know that other women are thinking of them and supporting them during these difficult times.
Since 2019, Lovely Solidarity has grown a lot and now has Belgian branches in 7 hospitals and is also present in Luxembourg, allowing more and more lovely bags to be offered!
You can watch here the interview with Johanne who explains the association's goals.
How to participate?
There are several ways to participate in this great solidarity chain:
- by sewing lovely bags by becoming a lovely seamstress
- by becoming a drop-off/collection point
- by transporting the lovely bags from collection points to partner hospitals
- by becoming a coordinator for a region
- by making donations in the form of money or fabric
- by helping to create new collaborations in hospitals, by organizing events, ...
At C'est du Joly! we decided to donate 15% of our profits from Monday 4/10 to 17/10 to Lovely Solidarity. To participate, just enter the code LOVELY when you place your order. With the money raised, Lovely Solidarity will provide fabric to the participating seamstresses so they can continue the action throughout the year.
Do you know how to sew, want to help and become a lovely seamstress?
To help and receive the pattern of the lovely bag, just register here
You will then receive a welcome email with a presentation video from Edwige who tells us her story and that of the creation of the ASBL, the patterns, and explanatory tutorials to sew the models very easily.
You don't need to be an experienced seamstress to make this little bag, you just need a bit of motivation even if you are a complete beginner.
So, ready to sew your Lovely Bag and join this great solidarity chain?
Tell me in the comments if you would like me to also make a tutorial to sew the bag.
Get your needles ready!
2 thoughts on “Pink October: let us join forces for a good cause!”
Gillet Carole
Ayant été concernée par cette maladie, mais n’ayant pas eu besoin de ces drains, je me lance dans la confection de ces Lovely Bag, une façon d’aider dans des moments de détresse que je peux comprendre.
Merci "c’est du Joly "pour l’article
Janssen
Bonjour
oui le tuto serait idéal , pour faciliter cette démarche surtout si nous sommes novice en couture
Merci