EUROPEAN SOCIAL PROJECTS
THE BRACELETS OF HOPE
Patients whose armpit lymph nodes have been removed due to breast cancer should not use their arms for some procedures. If armpit lymph has been removed during surgery, all procedures must be performed carefully. Since pressure may cause obstruction, measuring blood pressure, applying serum to that arm, or administering intravenous medication poses risks because the lymphatic circulation of that arm is impaired.
Lymphedema bracelets were designed to prevent people undergoing cancer treatment from being exposed to wrong intervention. We produced and sold these bracelets at Rotaract events under the name “I Volunteer, I Am Aware”. Our aim here was to raise people’s awareness about lymphedema and breast cancer, and to donate the income we earned to the houses of the Turkish Cancer Association, which they call “Miraculous”, where they provide accommodation to people who come to Istanbul from other cities for cancer treatment.
