Pink Trees for Pauline (PTFP) has partnered with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) again and invite all clubs, workplaces, schools, institutions and individuals to embrace #doekwithadifference by wearing a head wrap or scarf, or wrapping trees in the community in pink fabric.

Adri Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen, Managing Director of PTFP said, “We’re very excited about #doekwithadifference which has become a firm favourite since its launch in 2018. This year your #doekwithadifference is more colourful than ever, and will be sold at R100 each to raise funds.

We’re hoping to bring awareness and raise funds towards CANSA’s care and support programmes. Individuals and companies can still show their support by buying the pink fabric at R30 per metre, and wrapping trees in their towns and communities.

“Doeks and fabric are available at CANSA Care Centres and people are encouraged to show their support by using the hashtag #doekwithadifferenceon Instagram and Facebook when posting. Gerda Strauss, CANSA’s Head: Service elaborated, “The #doekwithadifference campaign aims to wrap in colour and unite in hope. Covid-19 has brought many challenges to us this year, and has created a greater need for our services. Funds raised from the sale of doeks and pink material will go a long way towards contributing to continued care and support.

“Showing support in your community is also a great team-building opportunity and companies (big or small) could further engage with #doekwithadifference by launching ‘spin-off initiatives’ such as ‘Wrapped on Wednesday’ or ‘Best Wrapped’, and share photos on social media platforms to generate interest. Some companies even run competitions for the most head wraps/ scarves sold.” Strauss added that traditional head wraps have long been worn for cultural, religious or fashion purposes.

The #doekwithadifference campaign gives wearers the opportunity to communicate a non-verbal message of hope and support to those affected by cancer, while raising much-needed funds towards care and support programmes. The colourful African wax print doeks can also be used as attractive table runners.

“Those who purchase a doek will receive a 25 per cent discount voucher on the following screening options at CANSA Care Centres: Clinical Breast Examination; Clinical Breast Exam with the breast light; Pap smear (early detection of cervical cancer); FotoFinder screening (skin and mole analysis) or Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test, which is screening for prostate cancer.” Visit www.cansa.org.za or contact the nearest CANSA Care Centre, call CANSA toll-free 0800 22 66 22 or email info@cansa.org.za. In addition to online resources and Facebook support groups, CANSA offers multi-lingual support on WhatsApp: 072 197 9305 for English and Afrikaans, and 071 867 3530 for isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, Sesotho and Setswana. Follow CANSA on Facebook: CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa, Twitter: @CANSA [https://www.twitter.com/CANSA], Instagram @cancerassociationofsouthafrica, LinkedIn and Pinterest.