POLOKWANE – Cancer continues to be one of the deadliest silent killers in our society as many people suffer in silence out of fear of the stigma and being ostracised.
A group of women who have survived cancer and now live cancer free have come together to form a group called the Conquerors of Cancer Support Group (CCSG) where they aim to bring hope and restore the lives of those who currently live with cancer, those who lived with cancer as well as those whose relatives have cancer.
The group was formed in January last year by Koena Kola and a group of cancer survivors. “I decided to form the group while I still received cancer treatment as the medicine makes one ill, it changes a person, and I didn’t want anyone to see anyone go through what I was going through alone. From not being able to eat, to not being able to take the medication itself, I felt compelled to warn and support others who are living with cancer and who are about to start treatment, of the side effects,” she said.
CCSG is a non-profit organisation which benefits cancer patients, their families and the community at large. The group is there to educate the community about cancer and what to expect during treatment.
The group also wishes to educate the community about cancer for them to be more supportive to those living with cancer and not stigmatise them. Currently consisting of 150 members with branches in Mokopane, Burgersfort and Phalaborwa, they host sessions every second Saturday of every month. These sessions are held on the second floor of the Kay Medical Centre at 64 Plein Street Polokwane at 10:00.
They also regularly visit and encourage patients at Cansa as well as host awareness campaigns at various hospitals in Limpopo.
“We want to reach the people living in the deep rural areas who have very little knowledge about cancer through outreach programmes so they can get help if they suspect they have cancer and be supportive of people diagnosed with cancer. We try to raise money to help women who cannot afford breast prosthesis after their breasts were removed due to breast cancer to help them regain their self-confidence,” Koena explains.
To join the Conquerors of Cancer support group, contact Kwena Kola at 072 567 9180 or Ramokone at 082 406 0611.
