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Support groups in South Africa

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Adopt A Pink Piggy (APP)

This is a fundraising organisation of the Breast Health Foundation (BHF). School children are encouraged to buy a pink plastic piggybank (R10). The piggybank is named and fed in silver and bronze coins. Funds raised go to the BHF to help raise awareness.

amaBele Belles

Dragon boat racing club for breast cancer survivors, promoting healthy exercise, improving fitness with the aim of showing that there can be life after cancer.

Breast Cancer Survivor

BreastSens (BS)

Advocacy group aimed at moving the national dialogue to a patient-sensitive and inclusive cause of disease and cure research paradigm. Working in partnership with the Chris Hani Baragwaneth Hospital’s Breast Care unit to improve the survival rate of women from Soweto. Would like to improve the research base regarding breast cancer within South Africa.

Breast Health Foundation (BHF)

The Breast Health Foundation focuses on a multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer through education. Education covers self-assessment techniques, general information regarding breast cancer and dispelling myths.

Mobile Education Units have been sent around the country in conjunction with Avon Justine.

Awareness campaigns such as ‘Pink Peddlers’ cycling group are used to draw attention to the cause of breast cancer.

Support to survivors of breast cancer is provided through Bosom Buddies.

Gauteng

KZN

Western Cape

Bosom Buddies (BB)

Bosom buddies is a Gauteng support group that aims to redefine the perceptions of breast cancer and promote positive mind set of survival, recovery and quality of life. There are regional branches.

Campaign for Cancer (C4C)

Campaign for Cancer is a Johannesburg-based advocacy group specialising in giving a voice to patients and those affected by cancer. The practice addresses concerns relating to policy, healthcare costs and delivery. Individual patient needs are addressed. This is performed in conjunction with addressing larger issues by highlighting these cases and lobbying for policy change that will affect all of society.

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)

CANSA is a large well-established NPO with branches throughout South Africa. Research into all forms of cancer backs strong public awareness campaigns. Support is provided and aims to lead the fight against cancer in South Africa. The mission is to be preferred non-profit organisation that enables research, education to the public and provides support for cancer victims.

Eastern Cape

East London

Tel: 042 727 1010

Mthatha

Tel: 047 532 5525

Port Elizabeth

Tel: 041 373 5157

Free State

Bethlehem

Tel: 058 303 3522

Bloemfontein

Tel: 051 444 2580

Welkom

Tel: 057 353 2112

Gauteng

Alberton

Tel: 011 869 5644

Houghton

Tel: 011 648 2340

Pretoria

Tel: 012 329 3036

Soweto

Tel: 011 935 1295

Vaal Triangle

Tel: 016 423 3506

Western Gauteng

Tel: 011 760 4087

KZN

Durban

Tel: 031 205 9525

Parklands Hospital Support Group

Makhula House Interim Home

Empangeni

Tel: 035 772 5699

Newcastle

Tel: 034 315 1751

Pietermaritzberg

Tel: 033 342 9837

Port Shepstone

Tel: 039 682 7680

Limpopo

Polokwane

Tel: 015 297 1268

Rustenburg

Tel: 014 594 2424

Waterberg

Tel: 014 717 4741

Mpumalanga

Nelspruit

Tel: 013 741 5441/2

Witbank

Tel: 013 6565420

North West

Klerksdorp

Tel: 018 469 1889

Northern Cape

Kimberley

Tel: 053 831 2968

Namaqa

Tel: 027 712 2868

Upington

Tel: 054 332 4937

Western Cape

Cape Metro

Tel: 021 689 5347

George

Tel: 044 874 4824

Malmesbury

Tel: 022 482 1111

Worcester

Tel: 023 342 7058

HPCA Hospice Palliative Care Association

The HPCA has been instrumental in establishing a number of palliative care structures across the country. Apart from providing palliative care, HPCA is involved in education of nurses and research into care and cancers. They support an advocacy group. There are a number of affiliated hospices around the country.

Journey of Hope (JoH)

A message of hope is carried through education as breast cancer survivors’ travels around the country on motorbikes. The journey takes the form of support for those who have survived, creating friendship bonds with other survivors and education, dispelling myths where possible. Fundraising to aid patients from rural areas who require prosthetics or expanders.

Look Good, Feel better (LGFB)

Look Good, Feel Better is a locally based international NGO focused on promoting the wellbeing of women with cancer. This is achieved through Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA) to provide free beauty/makeover workshops to cancer patients. Enabling survivors to appear better and thus build confidence.

Eastern Cape

Free State

Gauteng

Johannesburg

Pretoria

KZN

Durban

Pietermaritzburg

Western Cape

People Living With Cancer (PLWC)

PLWC is an umbrella organisation responsible for many cancer-related programmes. A synergistic and co-operative management programme assists all projects to run efficiently.

Current projects include the following:

The PLWC Cancer Buddies project

Cancer Buddies is a peer-to-peer support group project of People Living with Cancer. A support network has been established with the aim of providing advice to those living with cancer.

The Patient Empowerment Project and Photovoice Project

The cancer advocacy initiative of PLWC.

Can-Sir – The voice of men with cancer

Aims to improve the education, primarily surrounding ‘shy’ cancers in men while removing the stigma of cancer. Screening is promoted and support offered to those diagnosed.

Cancer.vive – The cancer awareness and education project

Raise awareness of cancer, focusing on early detection. Education centres on week-long motorbike tours of survivors to rural or remote towns. Links survivors with others through the PLWC framework.

CanSurvive Support Group

Meetings at Hazeldene Hall, Junction Avenue (opposite Netcare Park Lane Hospital), Parktown, Johannesburg; Netcare Pinehaven Hospital, Krugersdorp; Charlotte Maxeke Radiation Dept.; Jabulani

Contact:

Lend Your Hand – Cancer ambassadors awareness and fundraising project

Fundraising initiative of Cancer Buddies. People are encouraged to purchase a small bracelet with the proceeds going to PLWC to function. This also helps raise awareness of cancer, the different colours of the bracelet denoting varying cancers.

Johannesburg

Pretoria

Pink Drive (PD)

PinkDrive focuses on education and screening for breast cancer all round South Africa with the aim of enabling disadvantaged communities access to resources and education. One mobile breast unit and three educational cars are used to facilitate the screening and education.

Pink Trees for Pauline (PTP)

Aims to raise awareness of and funding for breast cancer through the decoration of trees in pink. Fabric to wrap trees in can be bought from PinkTrees. Most of the funds raised are utilised to improve the quality of life of those living with cancer in participating towns.

Reach for Recovery (RFR)

Reach for Recovery (R4R) is a breast-cancer support organisation with a unique focus on breast-cancer support and one of the only organisations that provide a patient support service on a national basis. Well-selected and trained volunteers, who each have experienced the breast-cancer journey, render an emotional care and practical support programme to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and their families. In some regions a prosthesis service is also provided, and the focus is also on indigent women that cannot afford this service.

Johannesburg

West Rand

Pretoria

Cape Peninsula

Durban

Sinomusanothando – Community Development (SCD)

Community-based organisation aiming to raise awareness in rural communities. Education is provided to school groups and the community through cancer awareness works walks. Free screening, referral and follow-up for breast, cervix, prostate and HIV-related conditions is preformed by the group.

Wings of Hope (WoH)

A Johannesburg-based support group built up of breast cancer survivors. Public meetings, hospital visits and telephonic support.

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