Comfort Cushions

Free comfort cushions for people navigating breast cancer treatment

Breast Surgery Comfort Cushions

Free comfort cushions for people navigating breast cancer treatment

At the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation, we know that recovery from surgery and treatment can bring unexpected discomfort. Our Comfort Cushion Packs, proudly supported by Port Waratah Coal Services, provide soft, supportive comfort for people living with breast cancer across the Hunter region.

The cushions are lovingly handmade by volunteers and distributed free to clients undergoing treatment. Each pack includes a specially shaped cushion, a drain bag and information about other supportive services offered through HBCF.

Armpit comfort

A sentinel node biopsy or an axillary node dissection can leave tender incisions or scars in an area where there are plenty of nerves. Placing a comfort cushion between your arm and chest can ease the pain of axillary and mastectomy incisions.

Safety belt pillow

After a lumpectomy, mastectomy or breast reconstruction, your chest area will be tender anywhere you have incisions. Use our comfort cushion to place between you and the upper body part of the seatbelt to protect from chafing and distribute the pressure on your chest.

Breast support pillow

After a lumpectomy or reconstruction, your breast may feel tender. Having breast surgery changes the balance of weight on your chest muscles. Until you adjust to this, our comfort cushion is useful to support your breast until the incisions heal and your muscles adjust.

Between breasts

When you’ve had any kind of breast surgery, your balance changes and you really feel that change in your chest. If you sleep on your side, the weight of your breasts on your chest muscles may feel different than it did before surgery. Tucking the comfort cushion between your breasts may help relieve the discomfort from muscles being expanded for breast implants.

Arm rest pillow

If you are going to be sitting still for a long chemo infusion, it can ease your arm to rest it on a comfort cushion. You could also use this pillow while lying down, to support your arm over your chest. Elevating your arm while resting may also ease lymphoedema symptoms.

Chest splint

Hold your cushion firmly against your chest wall when you cough to splint your surgical site and decrease discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can get a free comfort cushion pack?

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Comfort cushion packs are available free to local people diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing treatment in the Hunter region.

Can someone outside the Hunter region get a cushion?

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Yes. If you live outside the Hunter region, you can purchase a comfort cushion online through our Shop and have it shipped to you.

Who makes the cushions?

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Our cushions are handcrafted by volunteers who generously give their time to support others in our community.

How many cushions are distributed each year?

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Around 1,000 comfort cushion packs are provided annually to hospitals and directly to clients.

How do I request a comfort cushion?

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Contact our Supportive Care Coordinator to arrange a pack through a hospital referral or direct delivery.

Are the packs really free for local clients?

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Yes. Thanks to community support and our sponsors, these packs are provided at no cost to eligible local clients.

What comes in a comfort cushion pack?

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Each pack includes a specially shaped comfort cushion, a drain bag and information about HBCF’s other support services.

Can I use the cushion for other discomfort?

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Yes. Many clients find comfort cushions useful for a variety of supportive positions during treatment and recovery.

Our Comfort Cushions wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our sponsor Port Waratah Coal Services.

Port Waratah Coal Services

Request Access to Our Support Services

If you're ready to request access to our services, complete the form at the link below, or Contact Us to learn more.

Other Support Services

HBCF provides a range of free, practical services to support local families through breast cancer. Explore more of our services below.