IN 2010, at the age of 54, Moethilalh discovered a pea-sized lump in her breast. A few weeks later, she was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, a moment that would change her life forever.

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“There’s no history of breast cancer in my family, so the diagnosis came as a shock,” she said.

“You go through all the emotions —anger, fear, asking, ‘Why me?’ But once I accepted my diagnosis, the journey to real healing began.”

Moethilalh’s story is not just about surviving cancer, it’s about thriving afterward.

After undergoing treatment, including the targeted therapy Herceptin, she was declared cancer-free in November 2011.

“I’m not just a survivor, I’m a thriver. I don’t use the word remission. I beat cancer, I am cancer-free,” she said.

“When you’re diagnosed, you’re hit with all these medical terms, and it feels like you’re on a rollercoaster,” she added

But what Moethilalh learnt is that healing is more than just medical. It’s emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal.

“I’m not happy I had breast cancer, but I’m a better person because of what it taught me.”

She describes the unexpected gifts that came with her journey: the “angels” who supported her, the sisterhood of survivors, and the strength she found within herself.

“There’s so much to life. You start to appreciate the simple things. I’ve become so grounded and spiritually uplifted. Cancer forced me to find strength I never knew I had.”

Today, Moethilalh channels her energy into supporting others. As chairperson of Reach for Recovery in Durban, a non-profit, volunteer-based organisation offering emotional and practical support to breast cancer patients, she helps other women navigate their own journeys.

“After cancer, I knew I had to give back in a bigger way. It’s not just about surviving, it’s about how we live afterward and help others to heal.”

Reach for Recovery raises awareness through talks on early detection and breast self-examinations and offers free mammograms to women without medical aid who cannot afford the cost.

“All our volunteers have beaten breast cancer. We’re not medical professionals, but we offer something just as vital, which is understanding, empathy, and lived experience.”

One of Reach for Recovery’s most impactful initiatives is the Ditto Project, launched in 2011. The programme provides silicone breast prostheses, free of charge, to women without medical aid who have undergone mastectomies.

“‘Ditto’ is our way of saying ‘to feel the same’. It’s the final step in a woman’s healing. It allows her to move on from her negative experience and enjoy life again. It’s not just a prosthesis, it’s a gift of hope.”

She encourages women to support each other, especially when it comes to early detection.

“Go with a friend to get your mammogram. You’ll both feel a bit anxious, but facing it together makes it easier.

“We all have bad days. But being positive is also a journey. Take it one day at a time. You don’t have to go through it alone.”

For more information on Reach for Recovery and how to support their work this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit www.reach4recovery.org.za

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