Cansa West Rand spreads hope and kindness to cancer patients

The Life Flora Hospital’s oncology centre was filled with hope and motivation on World Cancer Day, February 4, as the Cansa West Rand team paid a visit to support cancer patients undergoing treatment.

World Cancer Day is observed every year in an effort to raise awareness about the disease, encourage its prevention, and mobilise action to address this global epidemic.

The team spent the morning interacting with patients, listening to their stories and offering words of encouragement.

“We understand that a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and isolating,” said Isabel Gomes, service support office manager at Cansa West Rand.

“Our visit today is to remind patients that they are not alone and that there is hope and support available to them. This year’s visit is a little bit different because we decided to focus on radiology because society tends to focus more on chemotherapy patients and forget that they are both important.”

The team also came bearing gifts. Each patient received a water bottle, a pink towel, and a sanitiser; practical items that will help make their treatment journey a little easier.

They also had scones with jam and cheese while they were waiting.

Gareth Christian, the lead radiotherapist of the centre says they mainly treat prostate, breast, head and neck, and skin cancers.

“Patients undergoing radiation hardly have visitors, and the support isn’t that loud as chemotherapy. We are grateful to Cansa for the support they gave to our patients,” he said.