CANSA’s fight against breast cancer

MBOMBELA – Have you ever wondered why some of the trees in town are wrapped in pink? Or have you ever wondered how you could wear a traditional doek on your head?

Well, CANSA Lowveld has the answers to these questions.

“We cover the tree in pink as part of our Pink Trees for Pauline (PTFP) initiative, that will start in September,” explains Mandisa Mthembu, divisional coordinator: service delivery (Mpumalanga).

This is one of the fund-raising initiatives from the organisation. Interested parties can buy the material to cover the trees at any CANSA branch and those covered in pink in turn create awareness for cancer. This year they have decided to add an extra component to this initiative, namely #doekwithadiffrence.

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“Like braai, a doek is something unique to the South African culture and it is also something that unites us,” Mthembu said.
A doek can be purchased from CANSA for only R70. Women (or even men) are encouraged to wear them every Friday in September to create even more awareness for cancer.

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This campaign is a natural extension of the PTFP slogan “Wrapped in colour, united in hope” and aims to raise funds specifically for care and support programmes for cancer patients and those affected by the disease.

Corporate teams who wear the doeks every Friday can send photos to mmthembu@cansa.org.za.

What can be expected when visiting CANSA Lowveld

1. PATIENT AND CARE SUPPORT

• Counselling and support groups
• Information booklets and fact sheets on cancer treatment, side effects and to manage them
• A large range of stoma products
• Fitting and sale of breast prostheses and mastectomy bras at competitive prices
• Fitting and availability of wigs
• Hire/loan of medical equipment

2. SCREENING AND AWARENESS

• Clinical breast examinations
• Pap smears
• Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) for men
• FotoFinder mole analysis
• Blood pressure test
• Blood glucose test
• Corporate wellness programmes
• Community health talks and exhibitions
• Youth awareness programmes.