Cansa denies jewellery fund goes to their coffers
The Cancer Association urges the community not to buy any jewellery that is allegedly sold on its behalf from anyone.
This comes after Petro Maree from Casseldale recently fell victim to a fraudster selling watches and other jewellery.
Petro claims she bought the jewellery in good faith as the seller alleged it was in aid of Cansa.
“I didn’t hesitate when she mentioned the money will go towards Cansa,” she says.
It was only a few days later that Petro realised, it was the same woman whom she supported two years ago, when the woman was selling other goods.
With this thought and anger towards herself for buying the jewellery still fresh in her mind, she contacted Cansa to report the matter.
She was informed by CANSA that selling jewellery on their behalf is “utter rubbish”.
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“The woman also mentioned that my photo will be placed in the Advertiser,” says Petro.
Much to her surprise the woman returned a few days later to sell more jewellery.
“I told her that Cansa denies any claims of currently using volunteers selling jewellery,” she says. She claims this was not enough to put the woman off, as she offered to bring proof from Cansa and the Advertiser and will “return withing 10 minutes”.
“We have to put an end to this. I paid her the money, hoping she would put it to good use,” says Petro.
Martie Botha, Cansa’s regional manager, says as a volunteer-driven organisation they use a lot of volunteers.
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However, all their volunteers have signed a volunteer contract with Cansa and underwent the necessary training.
“No volunteer will ever make direct contact with a media or advertising company without the help of a Cansa employee, with Cansa’s knowledge of where they are working and what they have planned,” says Martie.
All volunteers from CANSA are in constant contact with the office and meeting on a monthly basis.
Anyone who doubts the legitimacy of a volunteer selling goods for Cansa must contact 011 869 5644.
“The contact person for any event will always be one of the fund-raising staff working at the Cansa offices, working together with the volunteer,” says Martie.
