CANSA TLC Supports Families Affected by Cancer

10 February 2021 – International Childhood Cancer Day (15 February) is celebrated annually around the world to raise awareness of childhood cancer and the importance of support for children, teenagers and parents. The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) recognises that these families need support all year round, and has continued to provide this through its CANSA TLC programme amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. #InternationalChildhoodCancerDay #CANSATLC #CANSAcares

Cara Noble, CANSA’s National Relationship Manager, Service elaborates, “These are uncertain times, and parents in general feel anxious with regards to their children and teens due to the pandemic. So much more so the parents of a child or teen with a cancer diagnosis, with suppressed immunity. It’s important that parents / guardians know where to find support and a helping hand and that they know they are not facing childhood cancer alone. A cancer diagnosis can impact the entire family. CANSA TLC programme also supports the child or teen who has a parent or sibling that has been diagnosed with cancer, as we recognise that they also take strain due to the demands placed on them by cancer. These children and teens are sometimes even thrust into the role of a caregiver and need guidance and support.”

The CANSA Tele Counselling service, which is free of charge and available in seven languages, is provided to parents / guardians, children and teens with cancer or children / teens whose loved ones have cancer. Parents / guardians may also join the CANSA TLC Childhood Cancer Support Group on Facebook, where they can connect with others in a similar position. CANSA TLC also runs support groups and programmes in hospital wards and parents / guardians are encouraged to contact their CANSA Care Centre to find local support. Besides emotional and psychological support, parents / guardians and younger ones need practical assistance which CANSA TLC provides through sharing cancer related information; assistance with prostheses, ports, broviacs, medical equipment, food and basic essential parcels to families in need and accommodation for parents / guardians near treatment centres at CANSA TLC Lodges (Polokwane, Pretoria and Durban).

Noble adds, “We have a CANSA At Home Pain Guides available on our website to download. The booklets covers pain management for children in a user-friendly manner that helps simplify a normally complicated process. It presents a mixture of diagrams, pain identification charts and simple text and images to guide patients through the understanding and management of pain.”

“We appeal to the public to help us continue to support families affected by childhood cancer by making a donation or contributing donations towards CANSA Food Packs, as many families, especially those affected financially by COVID-19, are in need of basic food essentials at this time,” Noble concludes.

(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: 11 February 2021 | Last Updated: 24 June 2021
Categories: CANSA's Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) Programme, Media Releases & News