#CANSAcares   #CANSA90
#InternationalCancerSurvivorsDay

Do you remember how it felt when you first heard the words ‘you have cancer’?

Do you remember what it was like to show up to treatment for the first time and how you felt when you began to experience treatment side effects?

Or when you had an appointment for scans to check on your progress?

What were the things that inspired you and got you through the difficult times?

What if you could make a fellow cancer patient’s journey a little easier, by sharing what you have gone through, and providing Hope?

You CAN today!

We’d like to place a collection of stories of Hope submitted by cancer patients, on our website during the month of June. We hope for at least 90 stories to be submitted in celebration of CANSA’s 90th Anniversary and International Cancer Survivors’ Day.

Everyone knows how powerful a personal testimony can be, especially where someone is able to relate to this shared experience and draws parallels with your own life.

This is especially so with cancer Survivors.

Your story of how you dealt with diagnosis, treatment and life after treatment can give Hope to others who have just started on their cancer journey. Reading your story, other patients and caregivers may feel understood, and no longer alone…

CANSA Support for Cancer Survivors

CANSA reminds those living with cancer of its care and support offering, that includes online support, and invites them to contact their local CANSA Care Centre.

Many cancer survivors become volunteers for us. When they volunteer as part of the health and service team, they can help cancer patients and their loved ones get connected to the resources they need.

Emotional Support and Information

CANSA staff and volunteers provide emotional support and information to patients and loved ones regarding treatment and coping with side effects of treatment:

Rassie Venter, kanker pasiënt: "KANSA is daar om 'n bietjie ondersteuning te gee en om my te help aanhou hoop." 

Lindiwe Ntuli, cancer patient: "CANSA is an NGO you can trust and rely on. The workers at all levels are committed in making the cancer journey an easy ride due to the information provided and informed support groups. They are angels of hope and through all the trials and tribulations brought by the illness they provide love and hope through the cancer journey. CANSA makes sure that we receive information in abundance."

Daleen Kruger, kanker pasiënt: "Aan die engele van KANSA. Baie dankie  vir al julle bystand  deur als van my begin op my reis met kanker. Julle bystand en omgee, liefde en hulp, maak ons reis soveel makliker en beter. Sonder julle engele by KANSA sou dit nie moontlik gewees het nie."

We provide a free tele counselling service to cancer patients, caregivers and loved ones in 7 official SA languages:

One of our clients had this to say about his counselling experience: “It was extremely helpful and I would have not been able to process my grief without it. I found my counsellor to be a very focused listener, engaging with subtlety and an open mind that I have rarely experienced. Very competent in understanding my case and allowing me to feel free to share my story and feel understood on my path. Kindness and compassion, but also guidance and straightforwardness that brought to my sessions a balance that created a space of trust where I could speak openly without ever feeling any judgment and always feeling supported! It was for me a deeply healing process and experience.”

CANSA Facebook Support Groups

We’ve created a safe place for cancer patients or caregivers or parents / guardians of children with cancer to connect with and encourage one another. Groups are private:

Dina Harding, a member of CANSA Survivors - Champions of Hope Facebook support group, said: "Hi all. Just want to say this is a great group. I have made 3 new SURVIVOR friends. Had the honour of meeting one!"

Melissa Manaia, in response to support on CANSA Survivors - Champions of Hope Facebook support group: "Thank you all for the words of encouragement, this community really does make a big difference in how we make sense of everything and makes me feel not alone in the struggles that no one else understands unless they walked through it."

Ronni Goodier Vanderbyl, a member of the CANSA Caring for the Caregivers Facebook support group: “During my husband’s illness, I received a lot of moral support when I’d post an update. As a Caregiver, you often feel so alone…. but posting about feelings, would bring comfort in knowing you’re not alone. Since my husbands death, I sometimes post words of encouragement or comfort, when I read about other people’s struggles now…”

Stoma and Tele Stoma Service

We provide affordable, good quality stoma products and accessories, and offer a Tele Stoma Service, so we can reach you with stoma advice wherever you find yourself:

J A and S F Pretorius: "To Whom It May Concern: We would just like to convey our appreciation for the professional service that we received.  There is never a hiccup with ordering our stoma equipment, and we know that the order will be spot on. We really appreciate the service that we get from CANSA. Thank you."

A stoma patient, living in a remote area, recently responded with thanks, after being assisted through the CANSA Tele Stoma Service with regards to changing the stoma bag and being given advice with regards to treatment of side effects: “You really helped me because I didn’t know anything, and the consultation really helped me so much. And now I know at least how to do something and if I need help, I can ask you. Now I have a clue what to do when I have a rash.”

CANSA Care Homes

If you live far from your cancer treatment centre, our CANSA Care Homes offer you accommodation, meals and transport, close by:

Chris Hougaard: "I certainly have been helped by CANSA when, during my 6 weeks Radiation Therapy at Groote Schuur, I was able to stay at the CANSA Eikehof Care Home. I stay approximately 7 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, greeting me with a great hug in the mornings when I left for Groote Schuur and the same in the afternoon, when I returned. I will never ever forget this support. Eikehof is my home away from home and it enabled me to make lifelong friends. Thank you CANSA and thank you, Eikehof!"

Henk Hills: "I was blessed to have been a resident at CANSA Tipuana Care Home for the duration of my treatment and follow up visits. The staff of CANSA as well as the other patients were all a part of my healing process. Today I can only pray that all cancer patients can have the same support that I had."

CANSA TLC

CANSA Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) support is available at CANSA Care Centres: giving emotional support and guidance to children, teens and families affected by cancer and provide lodging for parents / guardians whose children are undergoing cancer treatment. TLC Lodges are found in Pretoria, Durban, and a TLC Paediatric Oncology Ward in Polokwane. TLC Support Rooms are in Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and Cape Town (for teens).

CANSA TLC patient's mother, "As a young mother of a little baby diagnosed with cancer it was hard to accept and deal with, but with CANSA’s continued support things had become easier and less stressful just knowing that there is someone who cares."

CANSA TLC patient's mother,"CANSA has been there for me and my family since day one, I thank God for these service delivery workers and the organisation as a whole. I wouldn’t want to imagine where we would be without CANSA. May you continue ensuring that there’s no child who receives treatment with nothing to eat afterwards, no child who gets discriminated against and excluded at school and most importantly ensuring that our people get educated and fully informed."

Medical Equipment Hire

CANSA hires out medical equipment to cancer patients and we also assist with regards to affordable breast prostheses, post mastectomy and lumpectomy bras; lymphoedema garments, adult nappies, wigs and headwear.

Natasja Le Roux, kankeroorwinnaar, "Ek is Natasja Le Roux, 'n Survivor vanaf 2009. Ek het breinkanker, bors en limfkanker, stadium 4. KANSA se mense dra my deur alles, vanaf n WhatsApp, doeke, rolstoel, kniegstut, en boudkussings. Hulle het selfs vir my kom kuier in die hospitaal met n operasie wat glad nie kanker verwant is nie. Dankie KANSA."

Online Support

We also offer a wide range of online resources, materials and support programmes for Survivors and loved ones:

• CANSA offers information and material for cancer patients and people living with underlying non-communicable diseases to protect themselves against COVID-19.
• Other services offered include a 20-week email series, iSurvivor programme offering support and guidance and added a specific programme for metastatic breast cancer patients. 
• Our CancerCare Coping Kit Audio programme helps cancer patients and  loved ones deal with a cancer diagnosis, treatment and side effects of treatment
• Pain management booklets are also available to help patients, loved ones and caregivers with pain management.
• Furthermore dietary tips and fact sheets regarding various aspects of cancer are available on the CANSA website.

Make a difference in a fellow cancer Survivor’s life today by sharing your story of hope, and our care and support offerings with them…

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