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Saaisha India Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women and children, has been making a tangible impact on the lives of breast cancer survivors.
Synopsis: Saaisha India Foundation is a volunteer-driven initiative that provides free, handmade crocheted breast prosthetics, known as “knockers”. With a team of passionate volunteers, the foundation has distributed 21,808 knitted knockers as of February 2025. However, one of the biggest challenges it faces in Kerala is the lack of volunteers and limited awareness about free handmade knockers for breast cancer survivors.
“I was fearless going into the surgery and even decided against breast prosthetics, believing that, at 63, it wouldn’t affect my confidence. But once I stepped out, I noticed the stares. People’s eyes lingered on me, making me painfully aware of my changed body,” Mary Jacob, a resident of Chingavanam in Kerala, told South First.
“That’s when I realised how much I needed a solution, not for vanity, but for comfort and normalcy,” she added.
Mary Jacob still remembers the moment she regained consciousness after her mastectomy at Kottayam Medical College Hospital. Despite multiple counselling sessions before the surgery, nothing could prepare her for the overwhelming sense of loss.
Like several other women who undergo mastectomy, she felt that a part of her identity had been taken away, something deeply tied to femininity, self-confidence, and societal perception. The emotional toll was heavier than she had anticipated.
Her search led her to Saaisha India Foundation, a volunteer-driven initiative that provides free, handmade crocheted breast prosthetics, known as “knockers”. Soft, lightweight, and skin-friendly, these knockers helped Mary reclaim her confidence.
Yet, in Kerala, awareness about Saaisha’s work remains limited. Unlike Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where the foundation has a strong presence, Kerala has only six volunteers making these prosthetics.
Bridging the awareness gap
Jayshree, Kowsalya, and Sukanya participated in the 10K Cancer Awareness Run Expo at Olcott Memorial School in Chennai on February 1, 2025.
Saaisha India Foundation, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting women and children, has been making a tangible impact on the lives of breast cancer survivors.
With a team of passionate volunteers, the foundation has distributed 21,808 knitted knockers as of February 2025.
When South First reached out to Jayshree Ratan, founder of Saaisha India Foundation, she shared the inspiration behind her initiative. While volunteering in the United States for Knitted Knockers, a nonprofit that provides handmade breast prosthetics, she regularly donated the ones she crocheted. Upon returning to India, a personal experience led her to take action.
“A relative of mine underwent a mastectomy, and I offered to make knockers for her. She was so happy with them that she asked if we could make these available for others as well. That one question set everything in motion,” recalled Mumbai-based Jayshree.
Although the need for comfortable, skin-friendly prosthetics was evident, Jayshree found that many doctors and patients in India were unfamiliar with such alternatives.
Traditionally, the available options were silicone prosthetics or foam-padded bras, which were often impractical.
In Mumbai, for instance, foam-padded bras were not even washable, making them inconvenient for long-term use.
To bridge this gap, the Saaisha India Foundation began actively engaging with oncologists, radiologists, and patient counsellors. Jayshree realised that while surgeons might not always focus on post-surgical care, radiologists and counsellors played a crucial role in guiding patients.
The foundation received its first major breakthrough when Dr Selvi Radhakrishna from the Chennai Breast Centre discovered its work online. She reached out, requesting a batch of knockers for her patients.
“Since then, our outreach has expanded through two approaches — sometimes, we introduce doctors to the concept, and other times, when a patient requests a knocker, we connect with her doctor to create awareness,” explained Jayshree.
What is a Knocker?
Saaisha volunteers, Chennai
When South First contacted Valsa Mathew, a Kerala-based volunteer, she explained the significance of Knitted Knockers, designed for women who have undergone mastectomies, lumpectomies, or reconstruction.
These prosthetics, made using knitting or crochet techniques, are available in various sizes, primarily A to D, and are supplied in pairs for hygiene.
Saaisha India Foundation ensures the knockers adhere to approved patterns from knittedknockers.org (USA) and are crafted in neutral and pastel shades.
The knitted version, called Bottoms Up Knocker, is made using double-point needles, while the crocheted version follows a contoured magic circle method.
The time required to make a knocker varies based on the volunteer’s experience and age, but each one is made with care to provide comfort and dignity to breast cancer survivors.
Struggles to find volunteers
Saaisha volunteers are engaged in making knockers.
According to data provided by Saaisha, the organisation has distributed 2,530 knockers in Kerala, using cotton thread sourced from Brigs in Goa and Vadodara. However, one of the biggest challenges it faces in Kerala is the lack of volunteers and limited awareness about free handmade knockers for breast cancer survivors.
While Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have 85 volunteers and Karnataka has 56, Kerala has only six volunteers, forcing its team to function under the Tamil Nadu region.
Valsa Mathew, a key volunteer, told South First that despite personally reaching out to cancer hospitals and leading oncologists, she received no positive response.
“Financially stable women can afford silicone knockers, but for the middle class and poor, these expensive alternatives are a struggle. Hospitals and doctors should take the initiative to promote our service,” she said. While some government and district hospitals showed interest, doctors claimed they lacked the time to coordinate.
Knockers.
Interestingly, Valsa’s journey with Saaisha began unexpectedly when she reunited with her Chennai schoolmate Jayshree after 50 years through a WhatsApp group, and today, these former classmates proudly work together for the cause.
Sreelekha Nair, a Kochi-based volunteer, echoed similar concerns and told South First, “Amrita Hospital and Caritas Hospital warmly welcomed us, and we distributed knockers there. Additionally, media promotions in Kerala have been limited, which could be a reason for the lower number of volunteers.”
Ayisha, an ASHA worker from Cheranalloor Panchayat, Ernakulam, told South First, “There are many breast cancer patients in my panchayat, and some have even undergone surgery. However, this is the first time I am hearing about Saaisha. One woman in my ward stitches pads using cotton cloth to place inside her bra but crocheting seems like an interesting alternative.
I will definitely inform the health inspectors and my colleagues about it and look forward to more such platforms that provide quality support systems.”
When South First contacted officials in the health department, they were unaware of the knockers but assured that the matter would be discussed in upcoming meetings.
Volunteers with a mission
18 Saaisha volunteers filled 410 knockers at Rajam’s residence in Chennai on January 30, 2025.
The Saaisha India Foundation operates with a dedicated team of over 230 volunteers spread across the country.
Of these, approximately 40 percent actively contribute on a regular basis. The initiative is entirely voluntary participants purchase their own mercerised cotton yarn, craft the knockers at their convenience, and send them to Jayshree in Mumbai.
“We ensure that every knocker reaches the patients free of cost through registered India Post, as courier services often fail to deliver to remote areas,” Jayshree explained to South First.
To maintain quality, all volunteers receive proper training despite patterns being available online. Jayshree personally interviews each new volunteer to clarify that this is a non-remunerative, purely voluntary effort.
Beyond knitting, some volunteers assist with training newcomers, managing social media, maintaining the database, and offering support wherever needed. The initiative even extends beyond India’s borders, with expat volunteers in West Asia contributing knockers, which they bring back to distribute among those in need.
“At Saaisha, there are no targets or deadlines. Volunteers are encouraged to contribute as and when they can, from anywhere they wish,” she added. “Once you join Saaisha, you remain a part of it forever.”
To learn more about the Saaisha India Foundation, and their work, or to volunteer with them, people can contact: Jayshree- 7700990212, Valsa Mathew-9400642453, Sreelekha Nair- 9895806926.
