The essence of the Necessities Bag is the women to women connection. Bags are assembled by volunteers, many of whom have been personally affected by breast cancer. Supplies are donated by businesses and community groups, such as the Girl Scouts. The small pillows are lovingly handmade by sewers who are thrilled to use their skills to bring some physical comfort to mastectomy patients. Necessities Bags are not pre-packaged, but each one is lovingly put together by individuals who want to make a difference right away. 

The Necessities national office in Connecticut will offer guidance to individuals, community groups, hospital personnel, and medical professionals about starting a Necessities Bag affiliate in their community.

Necessities Bags are for mastectomy patients only and are exclusively distributed by surgeons, nurses, and hospital affiliated breast cancer support programs.

The Necessities Bag includes:

** The Woman to Woman Guide to Prepare for Mastectomy that has tips on getting ready for the hospital, what to expect upon homecoming, and a list of important items to have on hand. This booklet is available (in English and Spanish) from the Connecticut office free of charge to sanctioned affiliates.

** A reusable tote is filled with a supply of bandages and other wound care necessities, along with personal items for hygiene and comfort. List available from the CT office once an affiliate prospect is confirmed.

In order to start an affiliate, two groups will need to work together:

Group A - The local medical community that may include surgeons (breast and/or plastic) nurses, or a community breast cancer support center involved with preparing women for surgery.

Group B - Individuals or organizations who have the resources to support a program with funding and volunteers to handle assembly and delivery to surgical offices or support centers.

Necessities, Inc. requires that all affiliates be legally formed if they are going to solicit funding in the name of Necessities. Individuals must be either incorporate or be associated with an established organization that has community credibility and proper financial accounting. There can never be a charge to a mastectomy patient for a Necessities Bag.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there a charge to be a Necessities affiliate?
No.In addition to being a legally formed organization or associated with one, the conditions to be an approved affiliate are as follows: prospective affiliates have to agree not to change or alter the bag's look and contents without the consent of the Connecticut office; the bag is always given free of charge to mastectomy patients; the bag should not be used to promote products or services which are not directly related to a woman’s immediate recovery from a mastectomy. That said, the Necessities Bag program is a gift to anyone who wants to become involved. 

How can I start an affiliate program?
Necessities, Inc. will assist individuals who want to start a program in their community, however, it will require the cooperation of the medical community as well as an individual or group with the ability to provide funding and volunteers to handle assembly and distribution to medical offices and hospitals. 

What is the best way to approach surgeons about Necessities?
The Connecticut office will provide an overview of the program to present to a surgeon or a breast cancer support program for their review. 

What if I cannot get the funding to start a program?
Necessities does not have the resources to support programs outside of our immediate area. 

Is there any any flexibility with regard to the look or the contents of the bag?
An example of a possible exception would be if surgeons agree on a particular size bandage that is not on the regular list. Very often, good people think they are doing a good thing by adding booklets, hand cremes, socks, etc. In most cases, mastectomy patients should have already received all the cancer brochures they need or want. Every item in the bag was carefully thought out and has not changed since the first bag was given out in 2005. Nothing should be added or changed without consulting with the CT office 

What recognition can be offered to sponsors?
We ask that company logos or hospital logos not be printed on the bag itself. This is a very sensitive time and the mastectomy patient should not be asked to be a walking advertisement for anyone. In the case of a major sponsor or in-kind donations, a card may be included inside the bag. Sponsors may be recognized on the affiliate web site. 

What are the financial obligations of a Necessities affiliate?
Necessities, Inc. will not sanction an affiliate that solicits monetary donations unless that affiliate is incorporated as a non-profit in their individual state, with a business checking account, proper bookkeeping procedures and board oversight. Affiliates are accountable to the Internal Revenue Service. 

Can a Necessities Bag be purchased by an individual?
Individuals may make a general donation to “sponsor” a bag for a mastectomy patient. The suggested donation is $50. If an individual contacts an affiliate for a personal request, it should be handled on an individual basis. We prefer that Necessities Bags be made available through medical professionals and given to patients prior to surgery by their doctor or nurse. If a mastectomy patient inquires about a bag for herself, it should be offered free of charge. If she insists on making a donation, it should be accepted as a sponsorship for another patient. For further guidance, contact the CT office.

Why isn’t the Necessities Bag the color Pink?
Many breast cancer patient cringe as their world turns pink. We deliberately avoid the color.