FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sherrie Handrinos
Email: SherrieHandrinos@gmail.com
Phone: 734-341-6859

Detroit Garment Group Guild Partners with Angel Pillow Project to Create Comfort Pillows for Breast Cancer Survivors
One Local Designer’s Pillow Design Will Become the Signature Pillow for Metro Detroit Survivors
January 8, 2014, Detroit MI; On Monday, February 3 from 2-4pm at Guild’s Club in Royal Oak, Detroit Garment Group Guild (DG3) and Angel Pillow Project, along with volunteer designers and sewers, will come together to create a signature comfort pillow for breast cancer survivors.   All participating designers will also have the opportunity to create their own signature pillow to be later voted on by the DG3 and Angel Pillow Project Foundation boards.  The winner’s pillow will be displayed in hospitals across Metro Detroit showcasing their winning design.
Sabrina Mayhew, wife of Martin Mayhew, General Manager, of the Detroit Lions, founder of Angel Pillow Project, was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2011, and after her double mastectomy, she received a heart-shaped pillow while recovering from a difficult and stressful surgery.  Mayhew did not know where this pillow came from but later discovered that a woman named Lorraine Stevens, whose daughter also had breast cancer, made the pillow as a kind gesture for multiple patients in the hospital.  This pillow turned out to be a true gift, providing Mayhew comfort and protection when attempting to find a comfortable position to sit or lay down after surgery, as well as when using a seatbelt, which was very painful due to surgery incisions and bandages. The heart-shaped pillow provided the comfort and padding Mayhew needed.

“The pillow truly improved my recovery and was invaluable as I healed from my breast cancer treatments,” Mayhew said.  “I actually continue to use my pillow today. It helps me get a more restful sleep at night, and I even take it with me when I travel. It’s been by my side and helped me through some really rough times. If fact, the pillow helped me so much during my recovery that I wanted to share it with others.”

Mayhew began making pillows for others, and Angel Pillow Project’s mission quickly grew. Mayhew reached out to Karen Buscemi, founder of Detroit Garment Group Guild, to take the project to the next level.  Buscemi, who is also the Editor of StyleLine magazine, suggested adding a twist of style into the pillows by involving the local fashion community.
“Angel Pillow Project is a great cause that helps breast cancer survivors in a very different way than most foundations, which I thought was interesting and fun,” Buscemi explains.  “What better way to put a Detroit stamp on this project than to reach out to our local designers and sewers to create pillows to comfort others?  Our fashion community is very generous, and I believe we’ll get a nice turnout of volunteers.”

Each month pillows are delivered to breast cancer patients across Metro Detroit and made by volunteers. There is no cost to survivors to receive a pillow.  All pillows are funded through Angel Pillow Project Foundation.
To participate in the February 3 event at Guild’s Club or for press and media information please contact Sherrie Handrinos at 734-341-6859 or SherrieHandrinos@gmail.com

About Detroit Garment Group Guild
Detroit Garment Group Guild is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity, providing education and opportunities for Detroit’s fashion community and beyond. Educational programming ranges from an annual fashion conference focused on the business of fashion to an industrial sewing certification program, coming this fall. For more information about Detroit Garment Group Guild, visit detroitgarmentgroup.org.

About Angel Pillow Project
The Mission of the Angel Pillow Project is to empower breast cancer survivors through education, awareness, emotional support, research, and advocacy.
The Angel Pillow Project was created to encourage healing, offer support and provide comfort to breast cancer patients. The heart-shaped pillows are used to soothe both physical and emotional pain immediately after surgery, radiation or other treatment. The pillows are made by breast cancer survivors who understand the unique needs and challenges a woman faces after diagnosis. Each pillow includes a handwritten note of encouragement by a survivor.   For more information, visit www.AngelPillow.org