The collaborative campaign, I am the voice of lymphoma, was derived through a number of local organisations, including Choc, The Sunflower Fund, The Faces of Hope Foundation, Campaigning for Cancer, the KZN Lymphoma Support Group and Roche, with the support of the Lymphoma Coalition. A social awareness video was made about lymphoma and posted on various online portals where the survivors of the disease talked candidly about their struggles.
The key objective of this initiative is to raise awareness, but it is also to discuss the importance of establishing an official voice for lymphoma in South Africa. Over the past three years, the campaign has teamed up with a number of local organisations and NGOs to spread the word about the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of lymphoma.
This year, the campaign is doing something different. Instead of profiling the numerous lymphoma survivors and patients across the country, they are all speaking out about the disease. This new strategy was derived to inform the public about lymphoma, the signs and symptoms, and how it affects the lives of thousands of people around the world, but also to instil a sense of hope and encourage to those suffering with the disease.
Through this campaign, the organisation connected with the public through the real voices of lymphoma, those who have supported the cause and the survivors themselves.
The campaign is being supported by lymphoma advocates and survivors including ’95 World Cup rugby star Chris Rossouw, funny-man Kevin Perkins (otherwise known as Chris Naicker), former SuperSport presenter, cyclist and philanthropist, Xylon van Eyck and Ilse-Mari Hodgskiss of Big Brother SA fame. Newcomer, EWN sports journalist and Radio 702 presenter, Jean Smyth lent his voice to the campaign.
The public is invited to actively participate in this initiative by showing their support on Be Cancer Aware’s Facebook page and sharing the posts with their friends. By standing together in awareness of this cancer, perhaps more people can be diagnosed and helped.
