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CANSA
90 Years of Service

We are celebrating a remarkable milestone in our history. CANSA is celebrating its 90th Anniversary this year. First opening its doors in 1931, the organisation has continued to evolve to meet the needs of cancer patients and loved ones throughout the years. Now, in spite of the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, we still continue to provide essential care and support services.

As we celebrate World NGO Day on the 27th February 2021, we are mindful of the fact that many NGOs are struggling given restrictions imposed by COVID-19 and are thankful that we have been able to continue to offer our services. We too have experienced obstacles and have transitioned to a virtually-supported service in a number of communities as part of a recent process to streamline and improve the organisation, without forfeiting any current services. We have had to learn to actively make use of technology to support daily operations, with the dual purpose of lowering costs, while forging a better way of providing service.

We are thankful to the public for their continued support.

Images taken prior to COVID-19

Leading through Service

CANSA continued to provide vital services to the public during lockdown with COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

CANSA offers research, health and advocacy programmes to help educate the public to reduce individual cancer risk.

We offer cancer screening to enable early detection: Clinical Breast Examinations to detect breast cancer, Pap smears to detect cervical cancer, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test to detect prostate cancer, Clinical Mole Analysis and FotoFinder Mole Analysis to detect skin cancer and Faecal Occult at home test kits to detect colorectal cancer.

Image taken prior to COVID-19

CANSA’s stoma clinics offer support to patients with products, emotional support and advice.

Our CANSA Care Homes caters for patients receiving cancer treatment offering accommodation, transport and meals.

CANSA’s TLC Lodges for children and families affected by cancer also remain operating.

Given the fact that social contact was limited, CANSA optimised our online support offering during lockdown:

We launched our CANSA Tele Counselling service – free, cancer specific counselling offered in 7 languages (English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, seSotho and Setswana).

We offer support through our Facebook Support Groups: CANSA Survivors – Champions of Hope; CANSA Caring for the Caregivers and CANSA TLC Childhood Cancer Support.

We offer support through our CANSA Help Desk via emails, phone calls and WhatsApp in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, SeSotho and siSwati.

Images taken prior to COVID-19

CANSA produced information and material for cancer patients and people living with underlying NCDs to protect themselves against COVID-19.

We enhanced our current iSurvivor programme and added a specific programme for metastatic breast cancer patients.

CANSA helped produce two booklets to help patients, loved ones and caregivers with pain management.

We launched our Lifestyle Risk Assessment Tool in a user-friendly online format, so that the public could assess individual cancer risk, and take measures to improve their health.

We also hosted several online webinars across social media platforms to raise awareness of how to reduce cancer risk and also to offer care and support.

Image taken prior to COVID-19

Elize Joubert CANSA CEO states, “We are aware of our duty to educate South Africa about the cancer burden and find innovative ways to help lower the cancer risk, while providing support and care to the communities we serve. We will continue to make a positive impact based on our values of leadership, improvement, passion, accountability and integrity, with all staff and volunteers giving one hundred percent towards achieving quality service.”

How Can You Help

CANSA is a volunteer driven organisation. We need your hands, feet and mind to help us roll our our care and support and fundraising programmes. Sign up as a volunteer and receive training to upskill yourself.

We invite the public to partner with us – become a cause related marketing client or a CSI partner.

Become a CANSA Seal of Recognition Partner, and help us to educate the public to lower cancer risk.

Help us continue to be leaders in Service for another 90 years, by making an online donation to support our work on behalf of cancer patients and loved ones, or create an online fundraising page to support us.

Donate items for CANSA Food Packs or Care Homes or TLC Lodges (click on each Care Home / TLC Lodge for specific lists).

Thanks in advance for your generous support!