October is breast cancer month!
Volunteers from Reach for Recovery will be visiting Shelly Centre on October 1 and 2 and the Southcoast Mall on October 5 and 12 from 09:00 to 15:00.
The team will be promoting breast cancer awareness through talks and campaigns to encourage breast cancer self-examination and outreach programmes in all communities.
The chairperson of Reach for Recovery, Linda Brandt, said businesses or organisations are welcome to contact them to do awareness talks at their premises to ensure that everyone is aware of the benefits of early detection.
“We are a handful of trained volunteers on the South Coast, and we are always more than willing to support patients, share our stories and create awareness. We are survivors ourselves!”
Reach for Recovery, in essence, is a worldwide voluntary organisation that renders an emotional and practical support service to people and their families who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Brandt explained that they usually get contacted by the surgeon or hospital, but patients and family are welcome to contact them to provide support at any stage.
“Trained volunteers visit patients in hospital, either before or after the operation. Patients are supplied with a booklet and various pamphlets dealing with relevant topics like exercise, lymphoedema, prosthesis and reconstruction,” she said.
Brandt said they receive a soft prosthesis (temporary breast form), a cushion for underarm comfort, a bag to contain the port-au-vac drain and a firm sponge for hand and arm exercise. These items are provided free of charge.
“Permanent prostheses (silicone) are offered by us through the Ditto project to non-medical aid patients where funds and logistics permit, and all state patients are eligible to receive one free of charge if they can produce a hospital card.”
In KZN, this fitting service is available in Durban. Most importantly, Reach for Recovery volunteers offer understanding, support, and hope because they themselves have survived breast cancer and gone on to live normal, productive lives.
Contact: 071 6070980 or janita@mweb.co.za or visit: https://www.reach4recovery.org.za/
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Fever’s Facebook page
