The Take Heart pillow project, founded in 2008, makes heart-shaped pillows for breast cancer patients, cushioning the arm from the scar of the surgery. Take Heart also later began making pillows for children who undergo heart surgery, so they can hug the pillows to hug their chests as they cough or turn in their sleep. In addition to comforting patients, the pillows are decorated with lively patterns and cut-out hearts, giving the patients joy in finding a pillow that suits them.
Eighty-four-year-old Bente Martinsen was a former school teacher who moved from Denmark to Tiburon in 1981. She hosts ‘Pillow Parties’ once a month, inviting her friends for an evening of sewing, stuffing and decorating pillows in her basement.
“Some patients are in a [difficult] situation when they get their diagnosis, but then there [is a specific pillow that stands out to them], and their spirits rise,” Martinsen said.
Martinsen began this journey when one of her closest friends and tennis partner Vicki Quinn got breast cancer. Up
on completing radiation and surgery, Quinn began suffering from physical discomfort from her seat belt rubbing against her incision while driving and also had trouble sleeping due to post-surgery discomfort, preventing her from getting a full night’s rest.
After seeing her friend struggle, Martinsen, inspired by an article published in a Danish magazine, created a heart-shaped pillow for Quinn to nestle under her arm, making simple day-to-day tasks more manageable. Quinn soon joined Martinsen in making pillows, and they have expanded the project into a a pillow-making group that meets at Martinsen’s house.
“We have five different hospitals that we send them to, and for the last 14 years, we have made close to 7,000 pillows,” Martinsen said.
Many breast cancer patients and parents of children who received heart surgery pillows have sent emails to the Take Heart group, describing in immense detail how their specific pillow brought them joy.
“[One woman wrote], ‘You don’t even know me, and you just can’t imagine how that makes me feel. You don’t even know me and care enough to do this,’” Quinn said.
One specific note has stuck with Quinn since they received it, from a young boy’s mother. The pillow was made from dinosaur fabric, which Quinn specifically remembers picking out the first time they went shopping for kid-friendly fabrics. Along with the mother’s note expressing her appreciation, she sent a photo of her son with the pillow. For Quinn, the photo brought a whole new meaning to the project.
“It’s a picture with the first dinosaur pillow we made. I have the picture in my office, and I look at him every day,” Quinn said. “It motivated me so much. A mother that has so much involvement in her child and then takes the time to write an email, it’s very special.”
Martinsen makes sure that not a single email or letter goes unshared with the group, and they eagerly wait, always excited to read the next one. Martinsen also ensures that no fabric or materials are wasted.
“When I cut the pillows, there are always little parts that cannot be used for another pillow. I cut that fabric into very small strips [to stuff pillows that] I give to comfort the dogs at the Humane Society,” Martinsen said.
This project has provided comfort to those suffering from pain and isolation, healing with a lovingly made heart pillow. Martinsen notes that students can also have a profound impact on the community through service projects.
“From heart disease to women with breast cancer, I really like the idea that there are teenagers who will think out of their own comfort zone and help somebody else,” Martinsen said.
