Knitted Knockers donated to MMH in support of breast cancer survivors

Ranging from size AA to F, 19 sets of Knitted Knockers were donated to Melissa Memorial Hospital’s Londa Wernet Bradford Cancer Center on Thursday, Sept. 23. Pictured from left, front row, are MMH CEO Cathy Harshbarger and Knitted Knockers volunteers Julie Haake, Laura Krogmeier and Suzan Hatteberg; and in back are MMH Foundation director Nancy Colglazier and the cancer center’s Cindy Lock. Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomies or other procedures to the breast. They are soft, comfortable and beautiful and, when placed in a regular bra, take the shape and feel of a real breast. The Knitted Knockers that were donated last week are free to anyone who needs them, and they’re encouraged to take two sets home so that they can wear one while washing the other. They can also request custom colors! A group of volunteers meets at Creative Traditions in Holyoke the third Thursday of every month at 5 p.m. to knit, crochet and stuff  Knitted Knockers. They use the same pattern hundreds of other Knitted Knockers groups are using around the world, and Creative Traditions has helped donate materials or sell them at cost to the local group. Other volunteers include Lorraine Townsend, Stephanie Krogmeier, Dalia Ortiz, Diana Green, Yvonne Wernet, LaVonne Dalton and Betty Ocken. To learn more, call Creative Traditions at 970-854-3699 or visit knittedknockers.org. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications