THERE is hardly another way to describe this as a morning celebrated being pretty in pink.
With dainty table settings, all in pink, ladies attending the Brackenhurst Primary Cancer Tea surely experienced a warm welcome. This was the second of its kind, organised by teacher Dorothy Buitendag who suffered from cancer two years ago. Each year funds raised goes to a charity and this year, Stepping Stone Hospice was chosen as the recipient.
While the guests settled in and were treated by the hosts to some lovely eats and hot tea and coffee, they eagerly awaited the message from the first guest speaker for the morning.
Sharing her story, was 21-year-old cancer survivor, Sarah Strydom who was diagnosed with cancer a couple of days before her eighth birthday.
She told the women about her trials and tribulations, about how a young child experienced this thing called cancer but did not really understand what is going to happen – not when she received treatment, not being sick after treatments, nor the severity of her illness or the fact that treatments left her scarred for life.
However, this young go-getter had survived to make a difference. Today, she spreads the word to other people about being positively happy – happy with what you have and being alive. Being happy about the fact that you can share a day like today with family and friends.
And who can give a more apt testimony than this young woman who has spent many hours undergoing chemo, radiation and a number of operations – a testimony of living life being thankful for merely being alive and being able to enjoy the wonders around you.
Sarah sure left the audience inspired.
Next on the list was Prof Carol Benn who gave an informative talk about the importance of knowledge, sharing that knowledge with the younger generation of women and the fact that women should know their bodies.
She reminded the ladies that they should listen to their bodies and familiarise themselves with ways to decrease risks for cancer by improving their lifestyles, knowing their family history and of course, by making sure that the regular things like pap smears and mammograms are done.
Carol made an appeal to the ladies to ask questions, as many as they need, until they have no doubt what procedures will hold for them should cancer be detected. “You have the right to ask all the questions you want. If you are not happy, find a doctor who will answer your questions. Remember, there is no such thing as an emergency operation when it comes to breast cancer. There are many ways to treat it. You need to understand the medicine, the affects it will have on you and also the affects of treatments,” she said.
She also emphasised that women should share their knowledge with the younger generation to teach them life lessons to understand that women are more than just pretty faces.
Taking the stage at the end of the day was CEO of Stepping Stone Hospice, Tersia Burger who informed the audience about the services rendered by the hospice.
A total of R55 000 was raised with the tea which will be handed over to Stepping Stone Hospice.
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