CANSA welcomes the re-opening of four more of its CANSA Care Homes in Rustenburg, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and George. Most of the CANSA Care Homes have remained open despite the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and where homes were temporarily closed due to restrictions, plans were made to admit critical cancer patients full time at specific hospitals and treatment centres.

This means that 10 of our CANSA Care Homes are now operational, with strict infection procedures and protective measures in place, as cancer patients are among those most vulnerable to the COVID-19 infection. At some Care Homes, a limited number of patients are accommodated at a time to ensure safety, and as we’re fully booked, waiting lists have been initiated.

The Role of CANSA Care Homes

CANSA’s Care Homes fulfil an important role, as they provide accommodation to cancer patients who live far from treatment centres, for the duration of treatment. They also provide meals and transport to treatment centres.

Patients Must Continue with Treatment

It’s vital that cancer patients continue with treatment during lockdown and so it’s wonderful to be able to re-open the CANSA James Kingston (Rustenburg), Strelitzia (Port Elizabeth), Eikehof (Cape Town) and Irma Bruschi (George) Care Homes, so that more patients can have easy access to treatment in a home-away-from-home environment.

Donations to CANSA Care Homes Welcome

Other Essential Services

CANSA’s TLC Lodges for children and families affected by cancer in Durban, Pretoria and Polokwane have remained operational with protective measures and support via phone and online platforms in place.

CANSA continues to assist stoma and ostomy patients with orders and deliveries that are processed once a week on Thursdays. Patients and survivors can email thavenga@cansa.org.za or stomapta@cansa.org.za or WhatsApp 078 942 9290.

The staff and volunteers continue to provide patients with WhatsApp support and counselling and online support through the website, social media support groups and platforms during the lockdown period and have provided patients with information they need to know to lower their risk for COVID-19. A list of staff on call is available on the website should patients require counselling or advice.

Masks / Face Shields

CANSA is selling masks, face shields and newly designed Head Wear as a means of raising funds towards our service programmes and ensuring sustainability. We’re appealing to the public to please support us and purchase these from our local CANSA Care Centres as your help eases the burden and anxiety of the people living with cancer in so many ways and for this, we are enormously thankful.