Durban North resident provides thoughtful cancer care bags

A DURBAN North woman is using her charitable outreach to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Cathy Vere started the I Care Bag programme in 2019. The initiative provides care bags that contain items that fulfill the needs of cancer patients.

During the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, Vere donates the bags to the Durban branch of the Cancer Association of South Africa Durban (CANSA) and has donated more than 200 bags to the association.

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“Each I Care Bag contains toothpaste, a roll-on deodorant, lip ice, a disposable mask and a personalised letter or an inspirational quote. During chemotherapy, many patients develop mouth sores and other ailments and the idea behind the content of the bags was to help them with items that are gentle on their skin and gums. I came across the idea in England, so it isn’t original but I decided I wanted to do something. I adopted the idea and made it my own and that’s how I Care Bags was born.

“So far, I’ve collected 30 this month. I’m hoping more donations will come in to help cancer patients who travel to the CANSA Durban offices for their chemotherapy treatments. One of the most touching aspects for me is that some of the bags contain a personalised letter from those who have lost loved ones to cancer. The messages are quite touching and heartwarming and it offers an emotional connection between the person who donated and the cancer patient,” she said.

While all of the care bags are normally handed over during the month of October, those who would like to donate can also personalise bags with more items, should they wish, at any time of the year.

To find out more, or to support Vere’s initiative, you can find I Care Bag on Facebook or on Instagram at @i_care_bag.