Oaklands CWA ladies Elizabeth Kerr, Heather Kerr, Catherine McAlpine, Anna Stienstra, Lorraine Marcus and Cathie Sutcliffe pictured with Knitted Knockers CEO Cheryl Webster (centre pink).
When Cheryl Webster was diagnosed with breast cancer 23 years ago, she had no idea just how much she would be able to impact Australian women who were going through the same journey.
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The former Oaklands/Daysdale local, now living in Burwood, was invited home to speak about her charity organisation Knitted Knockers Australia at the Oaklands CWA Women’s Dinner last Wednesday.
Knitted Knockers Australia provides women who have had a mastectomy or lumpectomy with 100 percent cotton breast protheses.
Ms Webster first stumbled across a knitted cotton prothesis in 2013, loved the concept, and subsequently contacted the American company responsible for making them. Soon after, she registered the charity in Australia, with the Burwood CWA taking on the project.
It wasn’t long before word spread of this new alternative to silicone breasts and Ms Webster was invited to speak at a Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser in 2013. Of the 55 women who attended, 14 of them asked for a prosthesis.
Knitted Knockers Australia CEO Cheryl Webster addresses the 80-plus crowd in attendance at the Oaklands RSL Club.
The following year, she had her story published in a major newspaper, followed by many television and radio appearances, and the company grew with a tremendous army of volunteers across the country putting their hand up to handknit the prostheses.
“This company is all about people power,” Ms Webster said.
“I drive the vehicle, but it is fuelled by the thousands of registered volunteer knitters around the country. It’s truly remarkable.”
Ms Webster said each prosthesis is provided free of charge minus shipping costs.
“Cotton prostheses are a better alternative to traditional silicone,” the three-time breast cancer survivor said.
CWA secretary Heather Kerr welcoming special guests to the Oaklands CWA Women’s Dinner.
“When someone’s had their breast surgery, they can wear it straight away out of the hospital. It’s much cheaper than silicone, not as heavy, and don’t sweat in the heat like silicone.
“The cotton we use breathes and the design really allows them to mould to the body. The also come in all different sizes.
“We always give ladies two so they can wear one and have one in the wash.”
Ms Webster said the community support for the group was incredible.
“Knitted Knockers relies on the generous donations and sponsorships to raise money to purchase cotton kits to make the prostheses,” she said.
“Without these donations, we wouldn’t exist.”
At last week’s dinner, Ms Webster also spoke about her days growing up in Oaklands including meeting her husband Ian Webster who was a farmer in the area.
The room of the Oaklands RSL Bowling Club was packed with over 80 guests in attendance.
CWA secretary Heather Kerr thanked the club for hosting the event, the Oaklands Coffee Ladies for their contribution to the event, the sponsors of the raffle and the guests for attending.
‘It’s been a fantastic night. A big thank you to Cheryl for sharing your story with us,” she said.
Oaklands coffee ladies Elizabeth Kerr, Fay Gaad, Diane Richards, Helen Preedy, Helen Browne, Betty Carmichael, Rosemary Beattie and Yvonne Perrin.
