Bra collection campaign for Breast Health Action Day at the FHV

Since 1985, October has been dedicated to breast cancer prevention worldwide. The pink ribbon is an international symbol in the fight against breast cancer. At the FHV, this important topic is being taken up with a special fundraising campaign as part of the Interreg research project MammAware, which focuses on breast cancer prevention. A bra collection campaign is being held at the university until July 11 to plan a day of action in October. "From now on, bras in all sizes and bright colors can be handed in. All donated items will be dyed pink and hung on campus in October in the form of eye-catching garlands. The art campaign is a strong visual symbol to draw attention to the issue. The highlight is the day of action on October 16, when the latest research results from the MammAware project will also be presented," says project manager Hubert Jocham. 

Early detection is important

With this campaign, the FHV and its project partners want to draw attention to the topic of breast cancer prevention. Jocham explains: "Early detection is very important and can significantly increase the chance of survival. We invite everyone to hand in any light-colored bras they no longer need. Our MammAware research project aims to raise awareness by using digital technologies and at the same time incorporating the excellent sense of touch of visually impaired and blind women."

carla Vorarlberg as a partner

The creative bra collection campaign has found a committed project partner in carla - a Caritas social enterprise. The collaboration guarantees that the campaign will be implemented responsibly and in a way that conserves resources: No wearable textiles are wasted, instead they are collected, checked and, if necessary, reused. Head of Department for Work and Qualification, Karoline Mätzler, emphasizes: "When we heard about the campaign, we were immediately on board. We think the issue is very important and are happy to do our bit by providing the university with used bras for the campaign."

The campaign starts today and runs until July 11. You can drop them off at the university from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. The pink collection boxes are located at the Information Desk, main entrance Hochschulstraße 1, in Dornbirn. MammAware is thus also taking up the work of Christl Zimmermann, a pioneer in early breast cancer detection in Vorarlberg. Christl Zimmermann was the chairwoman and co-founder of "Frauenselbsthilfe nach Krebs" for many years. Together with her husband, she donated the Christl and Horst Zimmermann Sponsorship Award, which the FHV awarded for the second time this year to particularly motivated students in Engineering and Technology.

About the MammAware project

The MammAware project aims to reduce the prevalence of breast cancer by raising awareness and using digital technologies. The project partners are Krebshilfe Vorarlberg, Discovering Hands (GER), Klinikum Friedrichshafen - Brustzentrum Bodensee, and Kabatec (GER). Among other things, virtual reality (VR) applications are being developed for digital knowledge transfer and guidance for breast self-examination. This encourages interested women to perform regular breast self-examinations at home. In addition, visually impaired and blind women will be qualified as medical tactile examiners and will carry out tactile examinations and instructions on behalf of and in cooperation with regional breast centers and gynecologists. Regional companies can engage the trained experts for occupational health management.

More about the project: MammAware - Website

Save the date:
October 16, 2025, Action Day on Breast Cancer Prevention at FHVT
he following topics are in focus: Breast Awareness, new ways to prevent breast cancer and support programs in Vorarlberg. All interested women and men are cordially invited to take part in the day of action and focus on breast cancer prevention.