Lean on Me is there for you

A cancer diagnosis brings with it many emotional and practical challenges.

Requiring more than just medication and medical attention, cancer patients have a unique set of needs that include emotional support, information and resource sharing, and everyday practical help such as transportation to appointments.

It is with this in mind that Lean on Me was recently launched in Ballito. The brain child of Margie Els, Deidre Aveyard and Lisa Roberts, the NPO was formed following the recent passing of local businesswoman Jaime Ernst who ran Beacon of Care, the Ballito cancer support network (BCSN).

Co-founder of Lean on Me, Deidre Aveyard, a cancer survivor, said there was a pressing need to set up another support group to continue the work of BCSN.

“This could range from moral support to patients in hospital, volunteering at community outreach projects, distributing basic essentials to the many disadvantaged members in the community and most importantly, giving back,” said Deidre.

Collectively referred to as psycho-social needs, some of these are easily fulfilled by family members and close friends, but for the rest there is much solace to be found in support groups.

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Although each patient’s individual experience varies greatly, support groups in turn play a wide variety of roles.

“This group as a community service group, assisting where we can whether it be a terminal illness or just a member needing a helping hand,” said Deidre.

“We have a clear purpose to provide support and are joined by additional members, Alison Lambros and Privi Makhan who also share a similar vision and are equally passionate about serving the community.

“We all have a responsibility for both our own lives and the society in which we live, and in that collective responsibility, we can choose to be exceptional fellow human beings and display some empathy.”

Lean on Me can be contacted at 082 579 5888.

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