Reach for Recovery makes a massive difference in the lives of women recovering from cancer who cannot afford reconstructive surgery.
South Africa (04 February 2024) – Reach for Recovery (R4R) makes a massive difference in the lives of breast cancer survivors who have undergone state-based treatment. They help the women access silicone breast forms free of charge after undergoing mastectomies.
The annual Power of Pink campaign helps them reach nearly 6000 breast cancer patients each year. In 2023, the campaign raised a total of R438,912.00! The campaign is funded through October when shoppers purchase mushrooms from select stores, each labelled with a pink sticker to indicate their purpose.
Silicone Breast Forms
This national non-profit organisation is focused on bringing awareness of breast cancer to all South African women, no matter their location or financial situation. One of their most life-affirming initiatives is the Ditto Project, which provides silicone breast forms free of charge to state hospital breast cancer survivors who have undergone a mastectomy.
“These are expertly manufactured, as well as colour and size-matched to each recipient,” notes Stephné Jacobs, the National Chairperson of Reach for Recovery.
Of the over 6000 breast cancer patients supported each year by R4R through pre-op calls, help at clinic visits, information distribution and hospital care packages, more than 600 were fitted with a comfortable breast prosthesis between January and November 2023.
At over R3000 per breast form, purchasing one of these is completely out of reach for most state hospital patients without medical aid. The R4R team works to help these patients get access to safe alternatives to reconstructive surgery, which often isn’t an option.
The recipients themselves find receiving Ditto Project silicone breast forms transformative!
Beatrice Mopp, an 80-year-old retired teacher from the Eastern Cape, was fitted for her breast form in November 2023. After two years of arduous treatment, she had been placed on a waitlist for a prosthesis at a state hospital. She shared her experience.
“I waited for more than a year to no avail,” she laments. That’s when a family friend put her in touch with R4R. “The volunteer called me and arranged an appointment to meet me at home. The fitting of the prosthetic breast was such an exciting experience. My initial anxiety and apprehension were allayed by the calm and relaxed manner in which I was treated.
“Words are inadequate when trying to express the elated feeling I experienced on receiving my prosthetic breast. To say I felt like a young woman again is putting it lightly. It gives me so much joy to be able to hug my grandchildren fully without flinching that they will feel my flat side. Gone was the hunched left shoulder as I am now balanced and confidently walk with my chest out. I remember smiling, in fact laughing, when I saw my image in the mirror. Truthfully, my confidence and dignity as a woman has been restored by getting the prosthesis.”
Elated is the emotion shared by many breast cancer survivors following their fitting.
“After breast cancer treatment I was asking, ‘why me?’, not knowing the sun was going to shine again,” shares Gail Coombs from the Cape peninsula.
“I was looking for help with a prosthesis. I searched Facebook and came across Reach for Recovery who immediately assisted and provided! After the fitting, my sister and I went dress shopping with the prosthesis in its box. Oh my, it was the best day of my life. Later that month I looked absolutely stunning at my niece’s wedding, with so much confidence and two perfect boobs just like God made us. Everyone who knew my story was stunned. So much confidence; smiles and compliments. The prosthesis changed my life for sure. It fits perfectly, is soft and comfortable. I am wearing it with pride, being whole as a woman.”
The Ditto project makes a massive difference and one may never be able to understand unless it affects them. We are so happy there is an organisation like Reach for Recovery, helping South African women feel whole again.
Sources: R4R – Supplied
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