Cancer Survivor Stories Inspire Hope
25 May 2021: CANSA celebrates 90 years of service in 2021 and looks forward to celebrating International Cancer Survivors’ Day in June with cancer patients and loved ones. CANSA recognises the courage displayed by those affected by cancer as they go through diagnosis, treatment and side effects, and the benefit of support throughout this journey from fellow Survivors. CANSA invites 90 cancer patients and more, assisted by the organisation to share their story of Hope to inspire others. {Submit your story here…}
#CANSAcares #CANSA90 #InternationalCancerSurvivorsDay
Gerda Strauss, CANSA’s Head: Service explains, “Everyone knows how powerful a personal testimony can be, especially where someone is able to relate to this shared experience and draws parallels with your own life. This is especially so with cancer Survivors. Their stories of how they dealt with diagnosis, treatment and life after treatment can give hope to others who have just started on their cancer journey. Reading their stories, other patients and caregivers feel understood, and no longer alone. We’ll place a collection of stories submitted by patients who have been helped by CANSA, on our website during the month of June. We hope for at least 90 stories to be submitted in celebration of CANSA’s 90th and International Cancer Survivors’ Day.”
How CANSA Helps
“Many cancer survivors become volunteers for us. When they volunteer as part of the health and service team, they can help cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones get connected to the resources they need,” explains Strauss.
CANSA reminds those living with cancer of its care and support offering, that includes online support, and invites them to contact their local CANSA Care Centre.
Lindiwe Ntuli, cancer patient shares what CANSA’s support service has meant to her, “CANSA is an NGO you can trust and rely on. The workers at all levels are committed in making the cancer journey an easy ride due to the information provided and informed support groups. They are ‘angels of hope’ and through all the trials and tribulations brought by the illness they provide love and hope through the cancer journey. CANSA makes sure that we receive information in abundance.”
CANSA provides CANSA Care Homes countrywide that cater for patients receiving cancer treatment far from home, offering accommodation, transport and meals and stoma clinics offer support to patients with products, emotional support and advice. This includes free Tele Stoma support service to help patients via video calls with advice and support.
“Given the fact that social contact has been limited due to the spread of COVID-19, we improved our online support offering and launched our CANSA Tele Counselling service – free, cancer specific counselling offered in seven languages (English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, seSotho and Setswana),” added Strauss.
CANSA further produced information and material for cancer patients and people living with underlying non-communicable diseases to protect themselves against COVID-19.
Strauss states, “We offer support through our Facebook Support Groups: CANSA Survivors – Champions of Hope and CANSA Caring for the Caregivers and through our CANSA Help Desk via emails, phone calls and WhatsApp in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, SeSotho and siSwati.”
Other services offered include a 20-week email series, iSurvivor programme offering support and guidance and added a specific programme for metastatic breast cancer patients. Pain management booklets are also available to help patients, loved ones and caregivers with pain management.
CANSA Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) support is available at CANSA Care Centres: giving emotional support and guidance to children, teens and families affected by cancer and provide lodging for parents / guardians whose children are undergoing cancer treatment. TLC Lodges are found in Pretoria, Durban, and a TLC Paediatric Oncology Ward in Polokwane. TLC Support Rooms are in Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and Cape Town (for teens).
Stories may be submitted here https://cansa.org.za/cancer-stories-of-hope-cansa90/
Disclaimer: The responsibility lies with cancer patients to contact CANSA for assistance. Read more…
(For more information, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication at CANSA at email lbalona@cansa.org.za. Call 011 616 7662 or mobile 082 459 5230.)
Queries CANSA
0800 22 6622 Toll Free
072 197 9305 English and Afrikaans (text only)
071 867 3530 isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho, Setswana and Sepedi (text only)
CANSA Care Centres
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