There is a platform that connects people fighting cancer with people who have won their battles and creates a buddy system to support the newly diagnosed.
Cancer Buddies is a non-profit organisation which offers support, information and guidance to those affected by cancer. The platform pairs individuals newly diagnosed with cancer, with survivors who have overcome the disease.
“What makes Cancer Buddies so unique is that newly diagnosed cancer patients are matched with survivors trained to offer support and guidance. This enables cancer patients and their loved ones alike to come to terms with their cancer journey without feeling isolated and overwhelmed” says Brett Simpson of Cancer Buddies who was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma cancer in 2007.
The most amazing part about this platform is that it is currently available in English and Afrikaans… but soon, also isiXhosa! They are currently campaigning on BackaBuddy to raise funds to fully build an isiXhosa version of the platform, thus becoming more inclusive for South Africans.
Did you know there are an estimated 8.3 million people in South Africa that speak isiXhosa?
In the spirit of Ubuntu, we would like to honour the great legacy of Nelson Mandela by launching Cancer Buddies in Tata’s home language, Xhosa, in celebration of what would have been the year of his 100th Birthday.
With this campaign, we hope to have raised R100 000 to launch a telephone line, social media platform and website in Xhosa!
Some of the funds will be used to employ Marta Booi, a retired Oncology nurse who will work on the isiXhosa toll-free helpline for a full year.
“As a non-profit organisation dealing with Cancer, a disease that affects 1 in 4 South Africans in one way or another, we have a responsibility to bridge the language gap and branch out to lower income areas who could use our support” – says Simpson
You can find out about how to help and donate here.
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