COVID-19 CANSA Announcement

The safety and health of our cancer patients, volunteers and staff is paramount.

As our most valued partner, we assure you that CANSA is taking all the necessary precautions to minimise the impact of COVID-19. Cancer patients are among those at high risk of serious illness from an infection because their immune systems are often vulnerable.

All current CANSA activities and events are postponed or suspended for now to ensure that we play our part in making sure we protect our communities. It’s best that we practise social distancing and have less physical interaction.

CANSA will continue supporting patients virtually via our online support platforms, Toll Free Call Centre 0800 22 66 22 and our WhatsApp lines which are 072 197 9305 English and Afrikaans / 071 867 3530 Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho and Siswati. A list of staff on call during the nationwide lockdown will also be posted on the CANSA website.

Furthermore, CANSA may be contacted via our social media platforms:

• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CancerAssociationOfSouthAfrica)
• Twitter @CANSA https://twitter.com/cansa) and
• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cancerassociationofsouthafrica/)

While we may not be able to host face-to-face events at the moment, the role of providing care and support to those affected by cancer must continue. Cancer patients will continue to stay at most of the CANSA Care Homes (Bloemfontein, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Richards Bay, Rustenburg, Port Elizabeth, George and Cape Town) with protective measures and strict infection procedures and while the public hospitals are open and receiving patients. CANSA Care Homes cater for patients receiving cancer treatment with accommodation, transport and meals. In the other provinces, plans have been made for critical patients to be admitted full time at specific hospitals or treatment centres. CANSA’s TLC Lodges for children and families affected by cancer in Pretoria, Polokwane and Durban will also remain operating with protective measures and support via phone and online platforms. We still need your support now more than ever so please consider making a safe and secure online donation towards our CANSA Care Homes and TLC Lodges.

CANSA will continue assisting stoma and ostomy patients with orders and deliveries that will be processed once a week on Thursdays. Patients and survivors can mail thavenga@cansa.org.za or stomapta@cansa.org.za or WhatsApp 078 942 9290.

We’ll continue to monitor the situation and will announce new dates for activities and events once we feel it is safe to do so.

Thank you for your understanding.

• COVID-19 Environmental Health Guideline
• Guideline to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus in CANSA Offices
• Prevention of spreading of Corona Virus in CANSA Care Homes / TLC Lodges