As part of Mandela Day, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is spending its 67 minutes in servitude of cancer survivors and patients. Employees and volunteers from 30 CANSA Care Centres country-wide will visit cancer patients.

On Friday, 17 July these volunteers will visit patients at regional public hospitals, clinics or treatment centres to provide encouragement and support.

“Inspired by Madiba,who was a prostate cancer survivor, we’re reaching out to those in our communities for 67 minutes, and bringing tribute to the manner in which Madiba devoted 67 years of his life to serving others,” says Elize Joubert, CANSA’s acting CEO.

She adds; “It’s so important for all people affected by cancer to know that CANSA staff and friends care. Madiba set an example for the nation and as an organisation, we’ll continue to honour his request to reach out to others, in our daily activities and more so, around his birthday each year.”

With these visits, CANSA staff will present patients with a special bookmark, with an inspirational quote by Madiba that also lists the care and support programmes offered to cancer patients by CANSA.

CANSA offers care and support to cancer patients in many forms such as Care Homes, toll-free line, CancerCare Coping kits, individual and group counselling, as well as support groups. This offers a positive environment for survivors to connect with other survivors, who are in the same situation as they are.

Joubert adds; “We also encourage all to offer their 67 minutes to help our CANSA Care Centres and Homes by fulfilling one of the many wishes on our wish list.  Some of these include painting and renovating rooms for volunteer and support meetings, looking for donations towards cancer screening consumables, or food parcels to help children and families battling cancer, as well as building a ramp to make it wheelchair friendly for patients. 

For more information, visit www.cansa.org.za. Alternatively follow them on Facebook or on Twitter.