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All Aboard for CANSA 90th Celebrations

#GivingTuesday #TogetherWeGive #CANSA90

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), having been founded in 1931, has reached an extraordinary milepost, celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.

Throughout its 90 years of existence CANSA has remained relevant, by proving to be a highly adaptable and resilient organisation, through refining its focus and service to better meet the needs of those affected by cancer and to educate the public on how to lower cancer risk, in response to scientific evidence and current happenings.

Making Cancer Research Possible

We’ve always had a heart for supporting cancer research. We are one of the largest local funders of cancer research in South Africa. Our research programmes aim to target the challenges of cancer risk reduction, early detection and cancer survivorship in South Africa and our support has led to ground-breaking improvements in the health sector…

Evolving to Meet Cancer Patient's Needs

CANSA may be a grand old dame at 90 yrs, but she is resilient and flexible too. COVID-19 might have given us a push, as face to face counselling was not allowed, but we had always wanted to set up a CANSA Tele Counselling service, available to people in their own language and within the comfort of their own homes, helping them to deal with a cancer diagnosis, treatment and encouraging family, loved ones, and caregivers too. We’ve even introduced a Tele Stoma Counselling service for ostomates...

Connecting Online

CANSA demonstrated its adaptability when responding to the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, by substantially increasing its online support offering and resources to patients and loved ones, who struggled to deal with the isolation imposed by lockdowns and fear of contracting the virus due to lowered immunity. This included information on how to minimise infection from COVID-19 and hosting and facilitating online webinars with experts in the field, cancer patients, caregivers and volunteers…

Seal of Approval

As part of our 90th celebrations, we took the time to revitalise our CANSA Seal of Recognition to help ordinary South Africans make smart, cancer reducing choices when purchasing edible and non-edible goods, products providing protection against natural elements, exercise equipment / programmes promoting a balanced lifestyle, and patient care products helping to promote quality of life, dignity and health of patients. No need to be an expert in the field, we’ve put our CANSA Seal on products you can trust…

Please join us on #GivingTuesday…

Please join us on #GivingTuesday as CANSA celebrates 90 years on Tuesday, 30 November 2021. YOU are invited to our virtual 90th Birthday Celebration, because without YOUR support this special anniversary milestone would not be possible…

Get Your CANSA 90th Virtual Celebration Invite

Good management has been key in steering CANSA through rough waters safely. The talented and skilled CANSA Board Members and capable CEO and CFO have kept the CANSA ship afloat and set to sail into a bright and promising future, to help those in our country affected by cancer, who need it most…

CANSA’s Board Members share what they value about the organisation - click through to full interview:

Elize Joubert, CANSA CEO,
” I am so grateful that I am surrounded by a highly driven and successful Board, staff and volunteers who genuinely care about those they work with and the communities in which they serve. We would not be able to operate without our committed volunteers, who are the backbone of our organisation, or the public’s support.”

Bugs Pancha, President Board: “I serve CANSA because of the joy I get from working with the most dedicated and committed team. Within the next 10 years I would like to see CANSA’s research, education and support programmes expanded and reaching all people in our country.”

Vuyokazi Memani-Sedile, Chairperson Board: “In the words of Madiba ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. The more people we educate the more the word can be spread so that people can get checked for cancer or get treatment earlier.”

Bothwell Mazarura, Board member: “I believe CANSA is playing a key role in advancing awareness and research which is vital to saving lives. Education and awareness play a significant role in getting rid of myths surrounding the disease and allows for early detection and treatment especially amongst our black communities.”

Prof Patrick Arbuthnot, Board member: “CANSA carries out valuable, compassionate work to assist people whose lives are affected by cancer. The organisation supports research, which is important to tackle problems that are particularly important to South Africa.”

Dr Martin Mandew, Board member: “The support that CANSA gives to ordinary people, many of whom do not understand the complex challenges that a cancer diagnosis will present, is extremely valuable.”

Jené Palmer, Board member: “CANSA admirably symbolises the hope, determination and endurance demonstrated by cancer patients and those affected by cancer. Even though the organisation has faced many challenges, it continues to fight to serve others. This is a fitting tribute to the employees and volunteers who selflessly give of their time and energy to research different aspects of cancer; educate the public and encourage healthy lifestyles; and provide support for cancer patients and those affected by cancer.”

Dr Rosie Mngqbisa, Board member: “CANSA has a national footprint and its vision to make its service available to under-served communities inspired me to be part of the team. I admire CANSA’s education and support service, despite the challenges that they have faced over the years. Their innovation in reaching communities regardless of the restrictions introduced by the pandemic and passion of staff to achieve this has been most admirable.”

Judge Dhaya Pillay, Board member: “I serve on the Board of CANSA because of its universal appeal as an organisation committed to service of vulnerable people. As a judge, I am cautious about the organisations I associate myself with. Serving with like-minded people selflessly committed to the highest ethical standards, reassures me that this is where I want to be.”

Peter Mukheli, CANSA CFO and Board member: “My message to CANSA is to continue to grow its support services, as this makes a tangible impact on communities, and to enable more awareness of cancer.”

CANSA Offering:

CANSA provided vital services to the public during lockdowns with COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

CANSA offers research, health and advocacy programmes to help educate the public to reduce individual cancer risk and has revitalised the CANSA Seal of Recognition programme, to help the public make healthy, informed choices when purchasing products. CANSA has produced over 300 Fact Sheets to help educate about cancer and related information.

We offer cancer screening and employee wellness programmes (corporates) to enable early detection: Clinical Breast Examinations to detect breast cancer, Pap smears to detect cervical cancer, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test to detect prostate cancer, Clinical Mole Analysis and FotoFinder Mole Analysis to detect skin cancer and Faecal Occult at home test kits to detect colorectal cancer. CANSA has performed over 430 000 screenings in the last 10 years.

CANSA’s stoma clinics offer support to patients with products, emotional support and advice, including a CANSA Tele Stoma service.

We provide medical loan equipment, as well as wigs and breast prostheses.

Our CANSA Care Homes cater for patients receiving cancer treatment offering accommodation, transport and meals. CANSA has accommodated more than 33 000 cancer patients at our Care Homes over the last 10 years.

CANSA’s TLC Lodges for children and families affected by cancer cater for parents of children receiving treatment far from home.

Given the fact that social contact was limited, CANSA optimised our online support offering during lockdowns:

We launched our CANSA Tele Counselling service – free, cancer specific counselling offered in 7 languages (English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, seSotho and Setswana). In addition to those who have received Tele Counselling, CANSA has individually counselled nearly 200 000 people over the last 10 years.

Introduced WhatsApp support groups. In addition to virtual / WhatsApp support groups, CANSA has facilitated face to face support groups for 90 000 cancer patients, and caregivers over the last 10 years.

Launched a CANSA Tele Stoma service to assist clients that are in remote communities.

We offer support through our Facebook Support Groups: CANSA Survivors– Champions of Hope; CANSA Caring for the Caregivers and CANSA TLC Childhood Cancer Support. Our Facebook Support Groups have been running for over 10 years and have a current total membership of 10 061 people.

We offer support through our CANSA Help Desk via emails, phone calls and WhatsApp in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, SeSotho and siSwati. CANSA assists an average of 900 – 1000 people through its Help Desk per month.

CANSA produced information and material for cancer patients and people living with underlying NCDs to protect themselves against COVID-19.

We enhanced our current iSurvivor programme and added a specific programme for metastatic breast cancer patients.

CANSA helped produce two booklets to help patients, loved ones and caregivers with pain management.

We launched our Lifestyle Risk Assessment Tool in a user-friendly online format, so that the public could assess individual cancer risk, and take measures to improve their health.

We also hosted several online webinars across social media platforms to raise awareness of how to reduce cancer risk and also to offer care and support. Over the past year CANSA has hosted or partnered in 42 webinars.

"I am immensely proud of all the achievements of CANSA and to have been a part thereof. The organisation has a solid foundation upon which we will build daily towards a 'world without cancer', based on our values of accountability, leadership, passion, integrity and improvement."

Elize Joubert
CANSA CEO

#TogetherWeGive

The more YOU give to CANSA, the more care and support we can provide to cancer patients, caregivers and loved ones.

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