Dressed in pink for a good cause
More than 70 women dressed in pink gathered at Cradlestone in support of a breast cancer awareness initiative.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is it important to create awareness for those fighting the deadly disease.
To show their support, members of the B to Z Fitness Centre held a fitness session at Cradlestone Mall on October 21 which was a fundraiser for Reach for Recovery. The initiative was also in partnership with Netcare Pinehaven Hospital and Motshudi, the Fearless Dance Fitness Centre along with Bergman Ross Radiologists.
Reach for Recovery is an international breast cancer support group affiliated with the International Union Against Cancer (UICC). It is a non-medical programme that aims to help women with breast cancer. The organisation has professional and well-trained volunteers who have experienced the breast cancer journey and provide emotional and physical care to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and their families through various programmes.
In some regions, a prosthesis service is provided with the focus of catering mainly to women who cannot afford this service. This service is done at no charge to the patient and is available to all state patients who have a hospital card. The organisation sustains itself through various fundraising activities and some regular sponsorships that have been associated with the organisation for a long period. The organisation has various branches nationally. Each branch does its own fundraising, however, some funds are allocated to the organisation as a national contribution. This is mainly used for the prosthesis support programme.
According to the official Reach for Recovery website, the organisation is managed by a national manager who reports to a board of management consisting of four Reach for Recovery members as well as three independent members. Services are delivered in Gauteng, the Western Cape, KZN, the Eastern Cape, the Northern Cape and the Free State.
B to Z Fitness Centre instructor Aletha van der Westhuizen added the initiative at Cradelstone raised over R4 000 which will be contributed to Reach for Recovery West Rand saying it will have a huge impact on breast cancer awareness.
“It’s very important to raise awareness and be self-conscious of your health. Many people are scared to have themselves checked. But if you find cancer early enough you can take appropriate steps to get proper medical treatment and intervention,” Aletha said.
If you would like to contribute towards Reach for Recovery, contact the national manager Stephanie van Deventer on 079 462 3973.
