Help Provide Comfort When It’s Needed Most
One small pillow can make a big difference.
The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (VBCF) includes a handmade heart-shaped pillow in every Newly Diagnosed Kit we send to Virginians recovering from breast cancer surgery. These specially designed pillows fit comfortably under the arm and can help relieve pressure on the surgical area, cushion against accidental bumps, and make car rides more comfortable by protecting against seat belt pressure.
If you enjoy sewing and would like to make a meaningful difference, we’d love to have you join our community of volunteers.
How It Works
Getting involved is easy!
- Complete our Volunteer Interest Form.
- Download the heart pillow pattern and instructions.
- Sew your pillows using the approved VBCF pattern.
- We’ll mail you VBCF iron-on labels for your finished pillows.
- Mail or deliver your completed pillows to our Richmond office.
There is no minimum or maximum number of pillows to make. Whether you sew one pillow or one hundred, every donation is appreciated.
Download the Pattern
A Few Things to Know Before You Start
To help ensure every pillow is ready to provide comfort from the moment it reaches a patient, we ask volunteers to follow these simple guidelines.
Choosing Fabric
We love seeing a variety of colorful fabrics, and your fabric doesn’t have to be pink!
Since heart pillows are randomly included in our Newly Diagnosed Kits, we encourage bright, cheerful prints with broad appeal. Please avoid holiday and seasonal fabrics.
Before Donating Your Pillows
Before sending your pillows, please make sure they are:
- Sewn using the approved VBCF pattern.
- Fully finished, with no openings where stuffing could escape.
- Free of sewing pins or needles.
- Clean and ready to be shared with someone recovering from surgery.
We aren’t able to repair unfinished pillows before they are distributed, so please make sure each pillow is complete before donating it.
Where to Send Your Pillows
Completed pillows may be mailed to:
2821 Emerywood Parkway, Suite 203
Richmond, VA 23294
Pillow drop-off may also be available in the Richmond/Central Virginia area.
We accept pillow donations year-round, so there’s no deadline for completing your pillows.
Sewing Groups & Community Organizations
Heart pillow projects are a wonderful service opportunity for quilting guilds, sewing groups, churches, schools, businesses, and other community organizations.
If you’re organizing a group project or are interested in coordinating volunteers in your community, we’d love to hear from you. Please let us know on the Volunteer Interest Form.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Heart Pillow Program, we’re happy to help.
Call us at 1-800-345-8223 or email help@vbcf.org.
Thank You for Making a Difference!
Thank you for sharing your talent and helping provide comfort and support to Virginians facing breast cancer.
