Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Sasol For Good: Championing CANSA this Breast Cancer Awareness Month

According to the World Health Organisation, each year, around 2.3 million people globally receive a breast cancer diagnosis, making this form of the disease the most common cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a vital calendar event which advocates for early detection, prevention and the provision of support and care resources.

Sasol’s Give-As-You-Earn programme, which allows employees to nominate payroll giving beneficiaries, supports 113 organisations of which the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as well as CANSA Sasolburg form part of. The Non-Profit Organisation’s (NPO) work to lead South Africa towards a cancer-free society involves:

Cancer Screening and Early Detection: the NPO provides Clinical Breast Exams, Pap smears, and PSA tests for early cancer detection, using advanced tech such as the FotoFinder Mole Analysis for skin cancer screening.
Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns: CANSA advocates for cancer control and prevention. Campaigns such as Breast Cancer Awareness and SunSmart educate the public on cancer risks and promotes healthy lifestyle choices.
CANSA Care Homes: CANSA Care Homes offer affordable lodging across South Africa for patients travelling long distances to seek treatment, providing a comfortable and supportive setting during their care.
CANSA TLC Lodges: the organisation’s TLC (Tough Living with Cancer) lodges offer emotional, psychological, and practical support to families of children undergoing cancer treatment, creating a more comfortable environment.
Psychosocial Support Services: this includes phone counselling, support groups and patient care programmes. The Tele Counselling service provides professional, confidential emotional support in seven official languages, ensuring accessibility for all.
Research and Information Services: CANSA plays a significant role in cancer research, partnering with leading institutions to fund innovative studies while providing the public with educational content e.g. breast cancer self-examination material.

How can you support CANSA’s work?

Volunteering Time: People can volunteer at CANSA Care Centres, TLC Lodges, or during community events. They can assist with patient support, organise awareness campaigns, or help with administrative tasks.
Participating in Fundraising Events: The public can participate in or organise fundraising events such as charity runs, engaging colleagues, friends, and family to raise funds for CANSA programmes
Hosting Awareness Campaigns: people can organise cancer awareness campaigns at work or in the community, including workshops, distributing materials, or hosting CANSA guest speakers.
In-Kind Donations: people can donate items such as toiletries, blankets, or care packages for patients at CANSA Care Homes and TLC Lodges. Community and workplace drives to collect these assists supporting patients during treatment.
Skills-Based Volunteering: skills-based volunteering leverages expertise to make a meaningful impact. For example, marketing professionals can help with campaigns, IT experts can assist with tech needs, etc.

By supporting employee-selected NPOs such as CANSA and CANSA Sasolburg, Sasol for Good enables employees and the public to use their diverse skills and expertise in volunteering efforts. This empowers communities and co-creates sustainable livelihoods, while we collectively foster a culture of generosity and support, contributing to essential resources and making a lasting impact.