CANSA Mpumalanga hosts feedback session on what the organisation does
MBOMBELA - CANSA Mpumalanga held a feedback and briefing session at the Southern Sun Hotel on February 8, when the organisation explained what it does and how it uses the funds it raises and receives through donations.
The session started out with Riaan Loubser of CANSA introducting the team, saying it is a strong one in Mbombela because of the community support it gets.
CANSA Mpumalanga’s Monique Bornman then went through a detailed PowerPoint presentation with the attendees, stating that the organisation is a leading role player in cancer research, and as a non-profit cancer-fighting organisation, its mission is to enable research, educate the public and advocate for and support all people affected by cancer.
Bornman emphasised that the responsibility rests with patients to contact CANSA for assistance, as it is not informed of patients being treated at medical centres. She said families need to get permission from patients before the organisation may contact them.
CANSA relies on income generated from its fundraising events and projects for the following: cancer research funding programmes, CANSA care homes (11 homes across the country), care and support services, operational costs and cancer screenings.
Bornman also shared that in 2023, CANSA had conducted 438 prostrate cancer screenings, 554 clinical breast examinations and 153 Pap smears. It was also able to send 89 patients to its Tipuana Care Home.
Its care home functions as a home away from home while patients undergo cancer treatments. It provides them with a place to stay, transport to the treatments and healthy, balanced meals and support.
She said CANSA’s services go hand in hand with research, because ultimately, the prevention of the disease is better than treatment.
“It is shocking to hear you have cancer. CANSA has the resources and can guide and ease people through that difficult journey,“he said. It also offers counselling in seven languages.
To find out more about CANSA, what it does and how it can help you or your loved one, you can visit the CANSA Clinic at 6 Annecke Street, Sonpark. You can also call the office on 013 741 5441 or visit the CANSA website at www. cansa.org.za.