Lise, the Champagne Breast Institute, accompanies between 400 and 500 patients per year. Since its creation in 2019, this association hosted in the heart of the Courlancy polyclinic, in Bezannes (Marne), has multiplied initiatives for breast cancer patients. To support them, every month, she offers workshops: sophrology, well-being, dietetics...
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Last year, Marjolaine de Villepin and Marie-Edwige Béchu, Lise's nurse coordinators, designed a first "Box Chemo Well-being" for women undergoing chemotherapy. This spring, they are launching a "Box Surgery" that is given free of charge to all patients undergoing surgery. "This box is a relay of our advice. What do I put on my scar? How do I support my breast? These are all questions that come up regularly. This box comes to provide the first answers with adapted products. »
A cushion, creams, a knitted breast prosthesis...
"The goal," insists Marjolaine de Villepin, "is to make it easier to return home after the operation." Inside this first starter kit: a heart-shaped cushion, moisturizing or healing creams, a seamless bra, wipes but also a knitted breast prosthesis. "In case of mastectomy, we can offer these prostheses. They are easy to model and very feminine. We thought it was interesting to offer this alternative to the foam prosthesis," says Marie-Edwige Béchu.
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This need was also made possible thanks to several patient-partners. "One of them donated 700 fabric makeup remover wipes that we offer inside the boxes. Many women tell us they want to give back what they received here," says Marjolaine. Others continue their daily struggle with the disease, while helping with this program.
Valérie Bôle, a patient, joined the adventure in 2022. Through her professional network, she helps to find funds to finance the "Boxes". After launching 250 "Wellness Chemo Boxes", nearly 600 "Surgery Boxes" were prepared thanks to the funds raised. Since last month, a hundred boxes have already been distributed. "We are now waiting for new donors to continue our action. We have thirty-five new patients per month. And we wish, beyond the boxes, to support them as best we can by offering them free workshops," says Marjolaine de Villepin.
