Breast cancer remains a serious worldwide threat, being one of the common diseases responsible for mortality among women. Here in the country, the disease is rather prevalent as proven by several studies and reports indicating that the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia.
Every October, there is a worldwide campaign to raise breast cancer awareness to encourage measures that could improve, or even save, the lives of those who have fallen victim to the once unbeatable but now curable disease. But when records show that one in every 13 women is expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime, a one-month awareness drive is not enough.
SM Woman, iCanServe Foundation and Thai lingerie brand Sabina heeded the call for consistent education and joined forces for the Sewing Cup Sewing Heart activity. During the event, supporters and guests were invited to sew 250 Sabina sewing cups – hypoallergenic bra fillers for women who have undergone a mastectomy, which were then donated to the iCanServe Foundation.
Sabina is the very first Asian-made sewing bra. The Sabina sewing bra is filled with a padding, which can be adjusted according to any cup size by filling a provided pouch with just enough LLDPE Plastic Beads (highly-purified plastic beads that do not contain harmful chemicals). It is round in shape and has no sharp edges so it does not irritate the skin or pierce through clothes.
With this simple but essential innovation, Sabina empowers women who have experienced, or are currently going through the life-changing trial that is breast cancer. By providing survivors a chance to fill a now empty breast cup with a special filler, Sabina, SM Woman and the iCanServe Foundation help women return to their daily lives feeling just a little more like themselves.
Gracing the Sewing Cup Sewing Heart activity were iCanServe Foundation chairperson Libet Virata and president Tang Singson. At the event, special guests Martha Revilla Schulze, Bettina Osmeña, Lilibeth Campos, Frannie Jacinto and Bibeth Orteza who participated in the sewing activity, gathering around the pretty pink tables with spools of pink thread and sewing needles. The activity proved that the task, although simple, could create a big impact on the lives of women. The shared sisterhood and compassion among women was deeply felt during the event, as described best by the heartfelt speech of Orteza, a breast cancer survivor.
Orteza shared how she heard stories of friends, family and acquaintances being diagnosed with the disease and didn’t think much of it since it happens so often. Only when it happened to her did it become real. She expressed gratitude for the women of iCanServe who flew to her aid when she became afflicted with cancer.
If you know someone who is or has bravely battled this life-altering disease, tell them about The Sewing Cup, Sewing Heart bra, exclusively available at SM Woman at The SM Store.