Reach for Recovery turns 50
The organisation was established by American native Terese Lasser in 1953 but settled in South Africa 50 years ago.
REACH for Recovery (RFR), a breast cancer support organisation, celebrated its 50th anniversary in style at the Durban Jewish Club recently. The event attracted a record number of over 400 participants. RFR is a breast cancer centered voluntary organisation aimed at offering emotional and practical support to women diagnosed with cancer by women who have survived cancer.
The international organisation was established by American native Terese Lasser in 1953 shortly after her own breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent mastectomy. She soon discovered that there was very little information or support available for breast cancer survivors.
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The international organisation has been in existence for the past 70 years, it however settled its roots in South Africa 50 years ago. According to keynote speaker, Durban RFR chairperson Indera Maharaj, KwaZulu-Natal has the largest number of volunteers in the country. She credited volunteers for the success of the organisation.
Radiologist Dr Susan Chick kept audience members up to date on the latest developments in breast cancer detection while oncologist Dr Rhea David presented a factual info-session on the disease. All the doctors agreed that early detection is key to timely and effective treatment. Breast cancer survivor and RFR volunteer Lala Govender poignantly shared her experience with breast cancer, hoping to inspire others with her story and her road to recovery.
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Free breast prosthetics were also made available to eligible candidates on the day. The RFR Ditto Project aims to provide breast prosthetics to State hospital patients who have undergone a mastectomy. RFR volunteer and breast cancer survivor Anne Pretorius, beautifully describes Ditto: “As means to make a woman feel whole again.”
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