Birmingham 'knocker knitter' honoured by Queen for breast cancer support
There's an event on Thursday (12 September)
Last updated 12th Sep 2019
A Birmingham woman's one of 15 being honoured by the Queen for her work helping women with breast cancer.
Joanna Dervisoglu set up "Knitted Knockers" UK (KKUK) in 2013 after knitting for group in the USA.
In March 2015, it became a registered charity that has now over 160 ladies who knit cotton breast prosthetics for ladies.
They're sent off with a note which says "Made with love and filled with hope".
More recently, she's set up "Midlands Crafters 4 Breast Cancer" who also make support pillows, knitted chemotherapy hats and knitted wash cloths.
In the past five years, she's helped knit, or been responsible for, 6000 cotton prosthetic breasts to help women after mastectomy surgery.
The groups were created as "traditional breast prosthetic can be heavy and uncomfortable, cause excess perspiration which can cause chafing."
The "knitted knockers" are placed in a bra and take on the shape and feel of a real breast.
They're free for ladies who request them from the volunteers.
They can be "adjusted to augment remaining breast tissue for breasts that are uneven and easily adapted for those going through reconstruction by simply adding or removing some of the stuffing".
Joanna's being awarded the British Empire Medal for the 'fantastic voluntary work' she does to help others.
She'll be given it, alongside 14 others, from the West Midlands Lord-Lieutenant, John Crabtree OBE at Birmingham City Council House on 12 September.
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