Pretty in pink to help Reach for Recovery
DAINFERN– How important is it to give support to cancer survivors. Read to find out.
Ladies dressed in pink gathered at a tea for two breakfast at Dainfern Square’s YuMe Sushi Bar on 17 September.
This was thanks to Saule Medical & Aesthetics, which sponsored the tea for 50 ladies for the Reach for Recovery (R4R) cause, as proceeds were donated to breast prosthesis for cancer survivors.
R4R is an international breast cancer support group affiliated to the International Union Against Cancer (UICC). It is a non-medical programme designed to help women with breast cancer in their return to daily life.
Ian Rothman, emcee of the event and principal of Crawford Fourways school said, “We are gathered here today in support of Reach for Recovery, which is a breast cancer initiative supported by Dr Nivana Moethilalh from Saule Medical & Aesthetics centre at the Dainfern Square shopping centre, along with Crawford Fourways school.”
The first speaker of the morning was Moethilalh who touched on the dangers of cancer and how cancer occurs in human beings. Moethilalh’s interests are medical, children, adults, papsmears and tests for heart and lungs.
The second speaker was Collen Smith, a breast cancer survivor for six years, currently the chairperson for the Johannesburg group, R4R. “The organisation is an autonomous nonprofit organisation run by volunteers since the late 60s. R4R is a breast cancer support organisation with a unique focus on breast cancer support and one of the only organisations that provides a patient support service on a national basis. It is built on a simple yet universal principle that of one woman who has experienced breast cancer herself, giving freely of her time and experience to assist and support another woman with breast cancer,” Smith said.
Smith added that they have well-selected and -trained volunteers, who each have experienced the breast cancer journey. They render an emotional care and practical support programme to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and their families. “In some regions, a prosthesis service is provided and the focus is also on indigent women who cannot afford this service, which is done at no charge to the patient and is available to any woman who requests it. The organisation sustains itself through localised fundraising activities, some regular sponsorships that have been associated with R4R over a long period and a substantial investment that is carefully guarded,” she said.
To end of the tea for two breakfast, Moethilalh handed over a cheque to Smith, who accepted it on behalf of the organisation.
