Cancer Survivors Gain Support From CANSA
The world celebrates cancer survivors on the first Sunday in June each year, celebrating on 4 June this year(#InternationalCancerSurvivorsDay). During the first week of June this year, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is joining in the international efforts to demonstrate that life after a cancer diagnosis can be a reality.
“Every day, CANSA earns its reputation as South Africa’s go-to provider of support cancer survivors can depend on by making a positive difference to their lives,” says CANSA Chief Executive Officer Elize Joubert.
“But we still think it is important to join thousands of people in hundreds of communities across the globe on 4 June, and during the whole week, celebrating hope and life with cancer survivors. We delight in honouring those in our community who are living with and beyond cancer, showing the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be fruitful, rewarding and even inspiring,” continues Joubert.
Increasing impact
In South Africa, one in four people will be affected by cancer in their lifetime – either by being diagnosed with cancer themselves or by the diagnosis of a family member, friend or colleague. And the trend is accelerating. A recent study in Lancet predicts that South Africa could see a 78% increase in the number of cancer cases by 2030. More cases means more survivors.
As cancer survivors and their loved ones know, it takes time to recover and adjust. For a survivor, it isn’t always possible to return to their previous version of “normal”. It may take time to settle into the new “normal”. That’s where CANSA’s support tools and programmes come in (#CANSAserves).
Online support
CANSA’s Facebook Group: Champions of Hope – CANSA Survivors is a safe and welcoming space where cancer survivors and caregivers can share their stories and receive encouragement from fellow members.
CANSA’s Facebook Group: CANSA Caring for the Carers focuses on caregivers of cancer survivors (patients) who wish to share their story and encourage each other.
CANSA’s Facebook Group: CANSA TLC provides a sharing space and encouragement for children and parents affected by cancer.
For those who have heard the dreaded words “you have cancer”, there is also the iSurvivor online support programme (isurvivor.org.za), which provides guidance along their journey through weekly emails to help them cope better.
And for those who want to cut their cancer risk by quitting smoking, there is CANSA’s KickButt online support programme (ekickbutt.org.za), which also takes the form of weekly emails.
Handy information
The CANSA website is a treasure trove of relevant information for survivors. Visit cansa.org.za for information and education.
It gives you access to CANSA’s CancerCare Coping Kit, (#CANSACancerCareCopingKit) an audioprogramme that helps you and your loved ones to cope with a cancer diagnosis, as well as fact sheets, position statements that will help you understand CANSA’s stance on various issues, and statements of the rights of patients and caregivers.
However, this host of virtual help is not all CANSA provides.
Homely help
CANSA also runs 11 CANSA Care Homes that provide home-away-from-home accommodation in the main metropolitan areas for patients undergoing cancer treatment at oncology clinics far from their homes. Watch CANSA’s Care Home Video #CANSACareHomes
For the parents of child cancer survivors undergoing treatment, CANSA provides CANSA TLC lodging.
Constant support
CANSA’s Care Centres (more than 30 across the country) offer care and support to cancer survivors, and their families. The Care Centres also offer cancer screening, education, emotional support through counselling and support groups, and many other support services. Find a CANSA Care Centre close to you, to find out more.
#CANSAscreening | #CANSAcounselling | #CANSAserves
Joubert concludes: “These are just some of the ways we support and celebrate cancer survivors – on International Cancer Survivors Day and every day.”
#CANSAcares | #InternationalSurvivorsDay
For more info visit www.cansa.org.za or contact CANSA toll-free 0800226622 or at info@cansa.org.za as email address. Follow CANSA on Twitter: @CANSA (http://www.twitter.com/@CANSA) and join CANSA on Facebook: CANSAThe Cancer Association of South Africa and follow CANSA on Instagram: @cancerassociationofsouthafrica.