Honeydew police station held a cancer and trauma awareness day.
Police officers, social workers and Cansa representatives gathered in solidarity in the fight against the often fatal disease.
“Cancer knows no boundaries. It is a life-threatening disease that affects everyone; men, women, young and old, rich and poor; it does not discriminate,” a poster on the wall of the police station read.
Cansa spokesperson Ronel Vermaak addressed those who attended, and spoke about the warning signs of breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer. Vermaak emphasised the importance of an immediate check-up should there be any signs of cancer or any questions lingering in the air. “The earlier you attend to the problem the sooner something can be done about it,” said Vermaak. “Your body will warn you if there is something wrong, so be still and listen.”
“My best friend died from cancer,” said Anja Buys, social worker for the Honeydew police station. “In a matter of a year she died and once she was diagnosed she said to me, ‘This is not a death sentence for me because I can use this negative experience as a gift’.” Buys spoke on the issue of trauma, the causes of trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Initiatives such as these were important not only because they created awareness, but because they created unity, promoted compassion and inspired hope for patients and loved ones.
Details: Cansa 011 616 7662
