Over 900 dresses in gently worn condition were gifted from South African women to South African women impacted by cancer; giving them a moment to step out of survival mode and into the beauty of simple joys.
South Africa (13 October 2023) — In a shining display of South African sisterhood, over 900 dresses in gently worn condition were gifted by South African women to their sister South Africans impacted by cancer.
This was a massive closet of support and one the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) explains to be hugely important on any cancer journey where survival mode takes up the space where simple joys once lived.
All in all, 920 dresses were gifted in just three weeks. They set out to remind women fighting either their own cancer battles or that of their children and loved ones, that the simple, beautiful things still exist and can still cause the same smiles they did before.
“For women already struggling to finance the cancer treatment, including transport costs, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. Many of these mothers who stay at CANSA TLC facilities cannot afford the travel costs to government paediatric oncology wards. They arrive with only the bare necessities: the impact of a beautiful dress during this challenging ordeal cannot be overstated.
“Similarly, women during their cancer journey, who are staying at one of the nationwide CANSA Care Homes, carry the burden of being taken care of while also feeling responsible for their families. The gift of a beautiful dress can help them feel ‘themselves’ for a moment and make them feel supported by other women.”— Joani Sadie of CANSA.
The call for dresses came as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month—the most common cancer among women; accounting for 22.6% of all female cancers and 16% of cancer deaths among women. Overall, more than half of all cancer diagnoses in South Africa affect women.
This means a lot of fighters. A lot of strength. And, a lot of room to spread hope, love, support, kindness and understanding—even if it is simply in the fashion of reminding someone they are still who they were before with the gift of a dress.