Cansa CEO honoured with awards
She said the organisation has three core functions; being research, education and support.
The acting CEO of the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), Ms Elize Joubert, believes she received more than just recognition when she recently won two prestigious awards at the 2015 Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards.
She said she also received honour.
Ms Joubert received awards in the Welfare and Civil Society Organisations category. She was awarded at both country and Southern African Development Community (SADC) levels.
The NEWS caught up with her at the organisation’s offices in Bedfordview.
She said the awards were an indication that her work with the organisation had the correct impact on people’s lives.
“These awards are a great honour. They also mean, to me, that I can carry on raising awareness of the different cancers that affect many people on a daily basis. I am also proud to have been honoured during Women’s Month,” said Ms Joubert.
Having won in the SADC level, she has been automatically entered to compete with other regional winners in the Continental Awards, to be hosted later this year.
Ms Joubert said highlights of her career included making a difference in the lives of people living with cancer.
“80 percent of our beneficiaries are people who cannot afford to fight the disease on their own. Being able to provide support to them after diagnosis means the world,” said Ms Joubert.
She said the organisation has three core functions; being research, education and support.
“We spend about R12-million a year in cancer research. As far as education is concerned, we transform information from our research to a language that the public can understand. We have care homes throughout the country where we accommodate patients and transport them to and from their treatment centres. We also have a home-based care programme and offer specialist wound care,” said Ms Joubert.
She invited the community to join in the fight against cancer.
“I urge everyone who can, to stand up and do something to help in the fight against this disease. People can volunteer any skills they have and we will use them according to their skills,” said Ms Joubert.
