“Breast cancer survivors face a myriad of challenges each day,” says Reach for Recovery’s National Management Board Chairperson and breast cancer survivor, Stephné Jacobs.
“That’s why we believe that transforming compassionate intent into practical and life-changing action is the most helpful way to assist the thousands of South African breast cancer survivors who struggle not only with fears and self-esteem issues but also with the financial implications of restoring normality after losing a breast.
“Our Ditto prostheses project is one of our most important annual initiatives. The funds we raise through this project provide women with limited financial resources with breast prostheses at MINIMAL COST to them after breast removal surgery. Our greatest need for 2017 is to secure sufficient funding to continue this amazing service as we want to make prostheses available to all state patients as they have the greatest need.”
The funding for the Ditto prostheses project comes from the annual Power of Pink campaign, a joint initiative between the South African Mushroom Farmers’ Association (SAMFA) and Pick n Pay. So look out for our trademark (and very pretty!) pink mushroom punnets on shelf in Pick n Pay for the entire month of October. R1 from each punnet of 250g whole and sliced white button mushrooms sold between September 25 and October 30 will be donated to the Ditto prostheses project so that prostheses can be provided to affected women who cannot afford to purchase them.
“We see the Ditto Prosthesis Project as an essential part of the healing process for survivors of breast cancer,” explains Stephné. “Surviving breast cancer is just the beginning of an emotional journey that needs both a sensitive and a practical understanding of the issues at stake. We see, on a daily basis, how wearing the correctly fitted breast form restores confidence; particularly important to women are still at the working age and need to return to work to avoid economic hardship.”
“To continue providing prostheses,” concludes Stephné, “we call on all South Africans to be part of our ‘support crew’ and buy mushrooms in pink punnets during October. “You’ll be contributing to a wonderful transformation and, as research indicates that women who eat an average of 10g of mushrooms a day (one white button mushroom), seems to halve their risk of breast cancer, you’ll keep yourself healthy too!
Imka Webb is a freelance digital marketing expert and the digital editor of Food & Home Entertaining magazine. www.imkawebb.com
