Boksburg Cansa Care Centre moves to Bedfordview

Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) announced that its East Rand care centre, located in Boksburg, is relocating to the organisation’s Bedfordview’s head office at the end of March.

The organisation, however, pointed out that the new development is not expected to have a negative impacted on the services rendered by the organisation in the region, as the organisation’s dedicated volunteers will continue to offer all the needed services.

The satellite care centre at 35 Olivia Road, Eveleigh, offers several services, including what they call clinic day where people will through appointments visit the centre for treatment and other services rendered.
At this stage, it’s still not yet clear whether the organisation will make use of mobile clinic equipment to conduct its clinic days in the East Rand.

According to Olivia Curlewis, Cansa’s manager in Gauteng, moving the branch forms part of the organisation’s process to streamline and improve the organisation.

“Cansa will continue to offer services, assisted by willing volunteers to the East Rand and surrounding communities.
“Like many organisations, Cansa is being challenged by the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdown regulations; and as part of our many efforts to address the challenges, we ensure we actively make use of technology to support daily operations.
“This is for the dual purpose of lowering costs while forging better ways of providing service.
“We’ll be based at our Cansa head office in Bedfordview without forfeiting any current services offered.
“I’d like to assure the public, as our valued community and supporters, that despite the tough economic times we are facing, Cansa staff and volunteers remain committed to providing care and support to those affected by cancer,” said Curlewis.

Modernising
Apart from centralising, the organisation said its other strategic changes include streamlining and modernising its services and fund-raising efforts.

This is to ensure that it maximises all existing business platforms and pursue new opportunities.

“Cansa continues to provide vital services to cancer patients during lockdown, including taking care of patients at the Cansa Tipuana Care Home. We have continued to support children and teens at the Cansa TLC Nicus Lodge based in Pretoria, as well as support parents or guardians whose children are undergoing cancer treatment at treatment centres.
“We ensure going forward that we remain a value-adding organisation as we continue with our research, health and advocacy programmes.
“We are committed to still promote early detection by offering cancer screening at pharmacy and screening partners and providing free online and telephonic care and support in seven languages via our Cansa counselling service,” Curlewis added.

Other services that continue include Stoma clinics (which offer support to patients with products, emotional support and advice), the Cansa help desk, online support groups, WhatsApp and Facebook support groups (toll-free 0800 22 66 22) while enhancing the current online iSurvivor programme.

They have also added a specific online programme for metastatic breast cancer patients.
Cansa further produced two booklets, the ‘Cansa at home pain guide’ and the ‘Cansa at-home guide for children with pain’ to help patients, loved ones, families and caregivers cope with pain management.

Support
“We’re aware of our duty to continue to educate South Africa about the cancer burden and find innovative ways to help lower the cancer risk, while providing support and care to all communities,” said Curlewis.
“As financial sustainability will be a challenge for all businesses in South Africa over the next few years, we look forward to the continued support of the public in helping to overcome this challenge and expand our service delivery programmes throughout the country.”

Also Read: Cansa celebrates 90 years of service

Meanwhile, Angelique Brits, fundraising coordinator – East Rand, appealed to residents of Ekurhuleni to continue supporting the organisations fundraising initiatives to benefit those affected and infected with cancer.
90th anniversary

The organisation will be celebrating its 90th birthday this year.
“It’s a remarkable milestone in our history and I know we’ll continue making an impact based on our values of leadership, improvement, passion, accountability and integrity.”

For more information on the new development within the organisation, contact Olivia Curlewis via email ocurlewis@cansa.org.za or call 083 672 7360.

Also Read: Cansa launches cervical cancer awareness and support campaign