Touching lives this Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As part of Langhams Executive Conferencing Drive for Goodwill, the lifestyle estate and conference centre has launched a yearly event during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to touch someone’s life who is fighting the illness.

This year, Langhams chose pensioner Dot Sonnenberg to help during an event at the centre on 16 October. Dot is not only battling breast cancer, but her husband has also developed significant health challenges. This wonderful couple needs the support of those around them.

Together with the donations from many amazing people more than R70 000 was raised to assist her with medical bills and treatment.

In addition, Lancet Laboratories have undertaken to cover all costs of her blood work going forward and Van Rensburg and Partners will cover all her radiography.

Kerryn Hulleman, one of the organisers, was the inspiration for the first Langhams Touch of Pink event. Kerryn is a vivacious 35-year-old with two children and a wonderful husband.

Last year, after experiencing immense back pain, they discovered a tumour on her spine. Her vertebra was crumbling. Further scans showed she also had cancer of the breast, lymph, liver and lungs. During surgery on her back, she went into heart failure. Doctors were afraid to operate further and did not believe she would ever leave the hospital. When she was diagnosed, her tumour markers were over 4 000 – they are now below 300! Her last scan showed no evidence of active disease.

Kim Ballantine, a motivational speaker, business and life coach from Camber Coaching, also spoke at the event and shared her journey from complete voice loss for five years, to the diagnosis of breast cancer and final recovery of voice and health. She also encouraged women to do breast self-examination and shared on how to practically support those challenged by the disease.

The main message of the day from these vibrant women was that early detection saves lives.

“I felt so privileged to be part of this event knowing that we could collectively impact someone’s life,” one resident commented during the lavish high tea after the event.

Another responded via email: “Kim and Kerryn, you are both such an inspiration! Thank you for allowing us to be part of this special day for Dot.”

Dot was presented with the funds collected at the end of the morning. There was not a dry eye as she grappled to come to terms with the enormity of what fellow Fourways residents had done for her.

Should any corporates or individuals be interested in assisting with donations and significantly impacting the life of another, they will be able to do so until the end of October. Please contact hilary@langhams.co.za for further information.

How do you support those you love who are battling cancer? Share your advice with us on the Fourways Review Facebook page