According to Linda Stokes, President Ann of Boksburg Lake Rotary Anns, this is a prosthesis for a person who has undergone a mastectomy.
“Necessity is the mother of invention. In this case a woman in the USA had a mastectomy and because of the scars on her body, could not wear the industrial rubber prosthesis,” said Stokes.
“A friend decided to help by knitting a cotton prosthetic breast. This worked perfectly and the idea of the Knitted Knocker was born. The project was introduced to South Africa three years ago.”
She said this project was adopted by the members of the Benoni Van Ryn Anns.
After they presented their project at an Anns mini conference in 2016, two other clubs in the District undertook to knit knockers. The clubs are Springs Park and Boksburg Lake.
A number of donations also came in from the Anns in the District.
To date over 300 knockers have been distributed to breast cancer units at the Charlotte Maxeke and Helen Joseph hospitals in Johannesburg.
A further 200 will be delivered to the Breast Unit at the Baragwaneth hospital.
“The Breast Cancer Units are delighted to accept the knitted knockers as many patients cannot afford the industrial prosthesis,” said Stokes.
The Boksurg Lake Anns developed this project further. They started collecting bras that are donated with the knitted knocker to women who have experienced a mastectomy.
“Benoni Van Ryn and Springs Park have joined in to collect bras. The result is positive as it raises a person’s self- confidence and one no longer has to hide one’s body under loose clothing.”
Funds are raised by the members who purchase the knitted knocker kit for R50.
Anyone interested in donating or knitting the knockers, may contact Linda Stokes 082 902 2505
