With helping hands, both male and female, we were able to make the transition to the Seniors Centre very smoothly; here we were welcomed with open arms and big smiles.
Husbands constructed the fitting rooms, erected tents and did all the transporting, lifting and toting for us, to them we are especially grateful not just for their labor but for understanding why we need to make this clinic happen. The Lapenita RV Park staff helped with everything we asked of them, even though we were moving locations.
Our volunteers put in many hours getting the centre ready, doing all the necessary sorting and preparing in one location and then moving it to our new home. Pretty pink flowers brightened the centre after the local kindergarten teachers came and decorated. Now after eleven and a half months of prep work we are excited and ready.
The Registration table had the forms and pencils all lined up.
The Hat Shack had scarves of every pattern decorating the walls and the hats of many colors waiting for the ladies to take their pick. We had a large number of ladies going through chemotherapy and needing head coverings. This is the one department where we used all of our stock.
The volunteers in the Wig Department had created an amazing display of beautifully styled wigs ready for the ladies to choose from. Make up ready; lipsticks lined up, eye shadows wait, our clients came out of there with gigantic smiles on their faces.
The Bra Store had hundreds of bras; prosthetic regular and sports, sorted and ready to be distributed, also the coveted silicon prosthesis were waiting on the shelf.
The Fitting Rooms were cheerful as the pink curtains marked 8 separate rooms, each filled with necessary supplies. As the ladies left the fitting rooms the hard working Translators escorted them to our Sewing Team, who were waiting with smiles, to give each lady an insert for her bra or to do necessary sewing repairs.
In the hot cramped office one knowledgeable volunteer and her helper took great care with clients who needed attention to arms swollen with lymphoma, wrapping and fitting sleeves to ease their pain.
The Kitchen volunteers did it again, no one went away hungry, tortas for the clients were made at the park and transported to the centre, coffee and cookies were also available for all.
The Tienda was set up outside the walls of the center; it still did a booming business, giving the ladies a chance to shop.
Over the three day clinic we helped 546 ladies feel beautiful, confident and valued.
On behalf of the Cancer de Mama Co-ordinators and the Executive Team I would like to express our gratitude and thanks to all our volunteers and donators who make this clinic happen every year.
Thank you EVERYONE for making the clinic another great success. WE are awesome!!
Susan Sloan
Clinic Supervisor
