Hope in a Handbag

Necessities Article for Annual Report

  by Kristina Alderdice, Project Director of Hope in a Handbag

                Necessities of Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana is a program that supports breast cancer patients.  It began in September of 2007 under the Associated Churches.  It now has a new not-for-profit status and is called Hope in a Handbag.   The mission of the project is to support mastectomy patients with a Necessities Bag which gives information and supplies to aid recovery, and also provide a resource for surgeons and nurses to improve communication with patients about the challenges of major surgery.  The Necessities Bag is a reusable tote filled with bandages and essentials for wound care, hygiene and personal comfort.  Included is the “Necessities Woman to Woman Guide to Prepare for Mastectomy” which offers practical information for women as well as their concerned caregivers to navigate pre-surgical turmoil and anticipate the challenges of homecoming. 

                Since the beginning, over 500 bags have been distributed to women in Northeast Indiana.  Necessities is very grateful to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure of Northern Indiana for a grant to help distribute the bags to all the rural areas and hospitals and surgeons in N.E. Indiana.  Susan G. Komen has substantiated data that shows when a woman is facing breast cancer and surgery, the recovery is smoother with fewer complications when there is a support base from others who understand the process and procedures.  The Necessities Bag can do this.  They are distributed in a professional manner only through physicians, hospitals, and health care professionals with the well-being of the patient taken into consideration.

                The Necessities Program is very thankful to the Fort Wayne area and local churches for the support of the project.  Physicians, surgeons, and hospitals have been so supportive in assuring that no woman is forgotten.  Their letters of support have been critical in the fundraising process.  Churches have helped raise dollars and collected items that go into bags.  They have listened to the stories of women who have received a bag and learned more of the risks and information to detect breast cancer in the earliest stage.  A goal of the project is to do more educational speaking concerning cancer.

                The feedback from women receiving a bag has been amazing and has provided a benchmark to measure the success and the usefulness of the items enclosed.  A woman from Fremont, IN wrote, “Thank you so much for your caring gift bag.  You thought of everything to the smallest detail!  I lived in Fort Wayne in the early 90’s and even then I was so impressed with the ‘City of Churches.’…….I was stunned when I found I had breast cancer; but God has embraced me with so much love and caring which far exceeds any pain I’ve had.  I give thanks to God for your concern.”                           

                Another patient wrote, “Thank you for the reassurance of the Necessities Bag.  It helped reduce some of the stressors of going into surgery by feeling a little prepared, knowing what to expect.  The little ‘comfort’ pillows are in use constantly since my surgery 5 days ago.  I appreciate the water bottle, Lip Balm, Kleenex pack, Life Savers and emery board.  The compact notebook has become a journal started 2 days after surgery. Thank you for this booklet and wonderful support!”

                Lynne from So. Milford, IN said, “….The undershirts turned out to be the most used item along with the cushioned bandages. I was terrified going to the hospital before surgery.  I had no idea what to bring with me nor did I know what to expect.  The contents of the bag truly helped me and was much appreciated.”