#CANSAcares   #InternationalCancerSurvivorsMonth

Many people with cancer and chronic conditions need support as they’re especially vulnerable to COVID-19.  International Cancer 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.

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.

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 here.

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.

A special video message to cancer survivors and patients from Chairperson of our CANSA Board, Vuyokazi Memani-Sedile.

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’re 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 motherfigure 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.”

Carin Juanita Hendricks kankeroorwinnaar: “Die KANSA ondersteuningsgroep help my ook baie want ek woon praatjies by en is altyd aangenaam om ander se stories na te luister want dit gee weer nuwe hoop.”

Liz Uys borskankeroorwinnaar:  “Ek is van dag een ondersteun met oproepe, boodskappe en besoeke.  Ek is ingelig oor die siekte.  Ek het nie n familiegeskiedenis van kanker nie, en het nie geweet wat om te verwag.  My man is ook ingelig oor die behandeling en verloop van sake, wat vir hom ook baie beteken het.   Ons kon ons vrese en bekommernisse met haar deel, en sy kon ons van inligting voorsien wat ons gemaklik laat voel het. Ons is KANSA ewig dankbaar.”

Miranda Fisher: “Ek is verwys na die KANSA Sorgtuiste waar ek 4 weke en 6 dae gaan bly het, sodat ek daagliks bestaling kan kry.  Ek moet spog met die Sorgtuiste, die plek en die programme wat aangebied word, die personeel wat sulke lekker kos maak en gunsies doen. Ons was een groot familie!”

Danie van Tonder: “My vrou was Januarie 2020 huis toe geskuif vir tuisversorging. KANSA het uit hul pad gegaan om ons toe te rus met die nodige om te verseker dat ons haar so gemaklik moontlik kan maak. My vrou het ongelukkig haar stryd teen kanker op 3 Maart 2020 verloor. Dankie is so klein woordjie, maar dankie KANSA dat julle ons in ons tyd van nood gehelp het.”

Charmaine borskankeroorwinnaar: “My hare het na ‘n paar dae na my eerste chemo begin uitval. Dit was vir my baie traumaties en ek was baie emosioneel. Elke keer wanneer ek my hare moes kam was dit maar ‘n tranedal. Ek het gevrees hoe ek die buitewêreld in die gesig sou kyk. Ek besoek toe KANSA en na ‘n wonderlike opbeurende gesprek, bied hulle my ‘n pruik aan. Net daar kom verander dit my selfvertroue en my uitkyk op die wêreld daar buite.”

Read more thank you stories on the CANSA website…

Disclaimer: The responsibility lies with cancer patients to contact CANSA for assistance.
Read more…

Eau Thermale Avène Partners with CANSA to Offer soothing Skincare to Patients & Carers this International Cancer Survivors’ Month

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has partnered with Eau Thermale Avène to celebrate cancer Survivors and the caregivers and staff taking care of them, this International Cancer Survivors’ Month, by delivering 780 thermal water and skin repair products to patients, caregivers and staff at CANSA’s 11 Care Homes. #InternationalCancerSurvivorsMonth #CANSACares

Cara Noble, CANSA National Relationship Manager Service Delivery elaborates, “Each patient and Service staff member received a 50ml Avène Thermal Spring Water and 40ml Cicalfate Repair Cream to help soothe skin irritations caused by treatment or daily wear and tear from continuous sanitising and hand washing. Everyone will also receive a ‘Your Skin Booklet’ designed to help patients take care of their skin during cancer treatment. Eau Thermale Avène and CANSA are excited to be launching the booklet as part of International Cancer Survivors’ month. Our cancer patients are going through so much. Receiving a cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment amid the COVID-19 pandemic and during lockdown is not easy. Our staff have been working incredibly hard during this period to support patients and their families and keep them safe, these gifts are well deserved and will bring welcome relief and care to our heroes.”  #CANSACareHomes

Charize Neill, Marketing Manager of Eau Thermale Avène says, “For the last 30 years, French dermo-cosmetic brand Eau Thermale Avène has been committed to improving the quality of life of those with sensitive skin. We aim to achieve this by offering safe, gentle products with clinically proven efficacy. All these products contain the signature Avène Thermal Spring Water, renowned for its soothing, anti-irritating and softening properties. Helping people find relief and hope is something we continuously strive to do, which is why we recently launched our SKIN & CANCER initiative. The initiative aims to help cancer patients soothe the skin side effects often associated with cancer treatments through education and the use of safe and specialised products. With this in mind, partnering with CANSA was a natural fit. Their goal of improving the quality of life and offering support to cancer patients, is completely aligned with ours. Eau Thermale Avène products are available to the public in-store and online through Clicks, Dis-Chem and Dermastore, and a portion of the proceeds from certain products will benefit CANSA.”

Our cancer patients are going through so much. Receiving a cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment amid the COVID-19 pandemic and during lockdown is not easy. Our staff have been working incredibly hard during this period to support patients and their families and keep them safe, these gifts are well deserved and will bring welcome relief and care to our heroes.