CANSA Asks Survivors to Share the Good News & to Pay it Forward

Afrikaanse Media Vrystelling

27 May 2020 – CANSA has continued to provide vital services to cancer patients during lockdown and invites those who have benefitted from its support services to ‘pay it forward’ this International Survivors’ month (June), by sharing how CANSA has helped them and making a donation to support the organisation. #CANSAcares and #InternationalCancerSurvivorsMonth

Gerda Strauss, CANSA’s Head: Service, “International Survivors’ month is an opportunity for us to acknowledge all those living with cancer – those fighting, in remission or have lost the battle. We value each one and have been hard at work during lockdown to ensure patients are supported and safe amid the COVID-19 crisis. Most of our 11 CANSA Care Homes have remained operational, accommodating patients far from treatment centres, as well as our CANSA TLC Lodges which accommodate parents of children receiving treatment.”

CANSA continued to provide stoma services and online support through its Facebook support groups, toll-free line and online platform, iSurvivor. Many people with cancer and chronic conditions need the support as they’re especially vulnerable to COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions have impacted CANSA, as it has many other businesses at this time.

“We’re calling on all survivors who that have benefitted from our services in the past and during lockdown, their family, friends and colleagues, to make a R50 donation towards CANSA so that we can continue providing critical services for cancer patients. Now more than ever we need your financial support,” added Strauss.

Strauss state, “If you have benefitted from CANSA counselling, support groups, home based care, food parcel support, Care Homes, TLC Lodges, online support groups, our Cancer Care Coping Kit or iSurvivor programme, cancer screening or employee wellness programmes – we encourage you to share how we have helped you on your cancer journey on your social media platforms using the hashtags #CANSAcares and #InternationalCancerSurvivorsMonth, and make a donation to support these services at https://cansa.org.za/personal-donation-options/. You know better than anyone the valuable contribution CANSA can make in the life of a cancer patient, so please help us support more patients through your donation.”

Patients Thank CANSA

George Bindeman, cancer survivor: “At the beginning of 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer as well. My life was shattered and felt like it was over. During this time, CANSA gave me moral support via the telephone. Unfortunately we are in lockdown period now and due to this people were not allowed to visit me. I really appreciate the help I got from CANSA.”

Nonkqubela Bonkolo: “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, few months after my graduation as a Social Worker, I was traumatized. I was then referred to the CANSA oncology Social Worker. CANSA’s visit helped me a lot, and the social worker was very patient and informative on all the questions I had as well as my fears and doubts. Since I’m unemployed and had no prosthesis at Frere Hospital, she assisted me to get one. She introduced me to a group of survivors which I’ll be forever grateful for and she trained me on other types of cancers. I’m currently one of the CANSA volunteers under her wing, where I’m able to use my social work skills. In this way I’m able to give back on what was done for me. I wish CANSA can continue to do what they did for me to other people, thank you CANSA, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you.”

Yolande Pienaar breast cancer survivor: “When I was diagnosed with metastasis to the lungs, I immediately called the social worker at CANSA. I found that I had a new family, as everyone was so helpful and friendly. My relapse was quite serious, and my family and I found a mother-figure and mentor in the social worker. Whenever we felt some stress, or my symptoms worried us, she was just a phone call away. If she did not have an answer, she contacted other professionals to find answers for us. While I was in ICU, she did counselling with my husband and children. The information shared with them, put them at ease, and I often hear my children talking about the session, as a lot of the advice was practical and helpful.”

Mandi Venter mother of a child with cancer: “I would like to thank CANSA for all your support that you are giving, not only to me, but to all onco families every day. Thank you for always supporting us mothers on the TLC WhatsApp group and for all your support and messages every day. Thank you for being there for us emotionally and helping us to deal with the stress. Thank you for checking up on us every day to make sure we are okay. We appreciate you so much, you always go the extra mile to try and help us. We are blessed to have you and don’t know what we would have done without you, because not everyone understands, but you do.”

Judy cancer survivor: “Diagnosed with breast cancer after asking CANSA to examine a sinister lump. Mammogram and mastectomy were expedited through CANSA who understood my entire home situation, as well as my health. The counselling given to my daughter; who is Down syndrome, was invaluable in easing her mind. Every bump in our journey was smoothed over by the love, care and honest expertise of CANSA. The visit the day after surgery and subsequent home visits went way beyond the call of duty.”

Read more thank you stories on the CANSA website…

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.)

Published: 7 June 2020 | Last Updated: 30 April 2021
Categories: CANSA Care Centres, I have Cancer, Media Releases & News