Your Goodwill Legacy is in Your Hands

Afrikaanse Persvrystelling

26 June 2023 – Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July) allows reflection on Madiba’s values and principles and to choose to make a positive impact on communities. CANSA invites everyone to support a CANSA Care Home to give patients an opportunity to be treated at oncology centres, who are otherwise too far away from these centres to receive treatment.

Elize Joubert, CANSA CEO is passionate about the service that CANSA provides through its eight Care Homes: “Our CANSA Care Homes ensure that patients living far from treatment centres don’t have to forgo cancer treatment. We can accommodate patients for an average of six weeks while they receive treatment and provide transport to and from treatment centres. Most of our Care Homes provide meals (a few are self-catering) and emotional support and information regarding cancer, is provided to patients.”

Joubert continues, “We aim for our Care Homes to continue being a home-away-from-home to patients by enabling these facilities to be self-sufficient. As with many other businesses, loadshedding and drought have negatively impacted the service we provide. We appeal to the public and workplaces to sponsor their nearest CANSA Care Home with solar power (panels) / generators and water tanks to minimise discomfort to patients during their stay. Vehicles used to transport patients to treatment also require maintenance and we would love to start growing our own vegetables at each Care Home if there are garden centres, nurseries, or members of the community willing to help us initiate this project.”

Mr Sebudi who stayed at the CANSA Olea Katleho Care Home in the Free State, during treatment, says of his stay, “To see people who have the same disease as I do, helps me accept my cancer better. Olea has taught me hope, respect and culture.”

Stembile adds, “CANSA Tipuana Care Home (in Pretoria) gave me peace of mind and restored hope. They took good care of my mom for five weeks during her treatment. The first day we walked in we received a warm welcome and we felt at home.”

“During my six-week radiation therapy at Grootte Schuur in Cape Town, I was able to stay at the CANSA Eikehof Care Home. I stay approximately seven hours’ drive from Groote Schuur Hospital and being away, far from home, especially during a crisis time like this, is never easy. However, the support from the staff at Eikehof made the journey much easier for me. Eikehof is my home-away-from-home, and it enabled me to make lifelong friends”, Chris Hougaard, cancer survivor says of his stay.

Joubert continues, “CANSA being a non-profit relies on the generosity of the public for in-kind and monetary donations to help keep costs associated with our services as affordable as possible and to enable us to continue providing free psycho-social support to patients, caregivers and loved ones through our CANSA Tele Counselling service (available in seven  languages), support groups (including WhatsApp and Facebook support groups). Your goodwill legacy is in your hands, and we ask that consider supplying one of our needs. You can contact info@cansa.org.za if you are able to assist.”

• Sponsor headsets and laptops for CANSA Tele Counsellors and comfortable chairs for patients during individual counselling sessions with social workers. Pro bono debriefing sessions for counsellors, social workers, and nursing staff by psychologists or wellness coaches are also needed.
• Assist with refurbishing Mobile Health Clinics and install air conditioners to facilitate cancer screening in remote rural areas.
• Sponsor a vehicle to transport cancer screening equipment to Wellness Events.
• Sponsor the cost of printing training materials for registered nurses and home-based care
• The CANSA Cape Metro Care Centre currently shares a venue with CANSA Eikehof Care Home and are seeking sponsorship of rent for a venue for the Cape Metro Care Centre.

Other ways to get involved include participating in, or sponsoring costs associated with national fundraising events to enable sustainability of care and support services: Shavathon, Cuppa For CANSA, Relay For Life and CANSA Active. The CANSA Active campaign encourages lowering personal cancer risk through being active and leading a balanced lifestyle. CANSA is keen to have a vehicle to transport expo gear and educational materials to help raise awareness at sporting events.

“Perhaps you are working full time and you’re not able to give of your time to assist with maintenance projects, so we invite you to make an online donation towards the upkeep of our Care Homes instead. Even if your donation seems small, every cent is building your goodwill legacy and makes a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer in your community,” Joubert concludes.

If you want to contribute in any way, please contact via info@cansa.org.za or call CANSA Help Desk, toll-free on 0800 22 66 22.

(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: 5 August 2023 | Last Updated: 31 August 2023
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, I have Cancer, Media Releases & News