Buy a pink punnet of mushrooms and change a breast cancer survivor’s life

Launched in 2011, the Power of Pink campaign, a partnership between Reach for Recovery (R4R) and South African Mushroom Farmers’ Association’s (SAMFA), sole purpose is to provide free silicone prostheses to breast cancer survivors who cannot afford reconstruction after the life altering and heartbreaking reality of a mastectomy.

To date the initiative has resulted in just under 8 000 silicone prostheses provided to financially strapped breast cancer survivors at a cost of more than R5,5 million.

Breast cancer survivor Cherry Hart says the Power of Pink campaign is just amazing. “The money raised from this campaign allows us to purchase external silicon breast prostheses to give to people who can’t afford to buy them privately. The joy on a woman’s face when she looks in the mirror and sees her new image, she feels whole again. Lots of tears of joy are shed by both recipient and fitter, followed by laughter and occasional dancing. It is a joyous moment for all present,” she said.

Stephné Jacobs was diagnosed with breast cancer 21 years ago and has walked this important road with R4R for 19 years.

“In 2010, research findings suggested that women who eat 10 grams of mushrooms every day seem to halve their risk of breast cancer. While this research was certainly a ray of hope, ‘Ubuntu’ – a South African concept, was the magnifying glass that caused that ray of hope to make an active difference. It is through this concept that the leaders from the South African Mushroom Farmers Association came together with diverse resources to form a solution. This solution ensures silicone prostheses service for uninsured women who had survived breast cancer, empowering survivors to regain their self-esteem, dignity and confidence after a mastectomy,” she said.

She adds that silicone breasts cost over R3000 in the open market, but they have been able to give 6523 silicone prostheses to women in different provinces of South Africa who could not afford one.

You can also make a difference in someone’s life this October by buying fresh mushrooms in pink punnets at Pick n Pay stores until the end of October.

Visit www.mushroominfo.co.za for more info or find them on Facebook and Instagram.