Coping

with cancer
RESOURCE LIST
JOHANNESBURG
ANAL CANAL CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Telephone: 082 600 8901 Gail Silberman
E-mail: gailann@mweb.co.za
In good times and bad we try to provide a warm and loving envi-
ronment for women going through treatment for a unique and
devastating cancer; to create hope and focus for the future.
If you have a colostomy, you’ll get helpful advice on the best
products to use and how to make them work for you; you’ll get
tips on the day-to-day difficulties of living with a colostomy and
you’ll benefit from the experience of people who have survived
the trauma and lived to tell the tale.
Finally, we’ll do our best to help you regain your self esteem and
find your “new normal”.

BOSOM BUDDIES
Telephone: 0860 283343 or Christel Klima – 011 787 6443
E-mail: rebecca@mybreast.oef.za, christel@formstahl.com
Websites: bosombuddies.org.za /www.mybreast.org.za
Bosom Buddies provides emotional support to men and women
affected by breast cancer at point of diagnosis, during any
treatment and thereafter. Run by volunteers, the "buddies" create
a loving, warm and compassionate environment in which they
support not only the breast cancer patients but also their spouses,
partners, parents, children, siblings and friends. Buddies guide and
provide information to patients and loved ones through
challenging times. Regular, lively meetings are held on Saturday
mornings approximately every six weeks at the old San Souci
Hotel, Milner Park.

BREAST HEALTH FOUNDATION

Contact person - Louise Turner
Telephone: +27 (0)11 482 9492 or +27 (0)76 479 0400
Email: louise@mybreast.org.za
Website: www.mybreast.org.za
The Breast Health Foundation, was established in April 2002 in
conjunction with several corporates and organisations to educate
the public on breast cancer and breast health, increase awareness
and empower women.
CAMPAIGN FOR CANCER
Fax : 086 684 8187
E-Mail: info@campaign4cancer.co.za
Website: www.campaign4cancer.co.za
Campaigning for Cancer is an advocacy organisation that was
formed in 2008 to give South African patients and those affected
by cancer a voice. Campaigning for Cancer lobbies for the
promotion and protection of the rights of patients and those
affected by cancer with regard to policy, healthcare costs and
healthcare delivery.
Their website provides assistance for patients dealing with
medical aids and hospitals.

CANCER COPING KIT

Bev du Toit 073 235 1571
Denise Bernstein 082 454 3950
The Cancer Coping Kit is available in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu
and seSotho and is a free audio programme that provides
knowledge and understanding to people faced with a cancer
diagnosis. The kit also provides family members and care givers
with information and coping techniques. It is available
countrywide thanks to a grant from the National Lottery
Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).

CANSA
Telephone: 011 648-0990
19 St John’s Road, Houghton
Website: www.cansa.org.za
Stoma Clinic
Ostomy care and advice is given at CANSA by their stoma
nursing sister. They sell a large range of stoma products, including
Coloplast, Convatec, Hollister, Dansac and Ensure. Please call for
an appointment. Open Mon - Fri 08:00-12:30.
Hoping is Coping Support Group
A support group for newly diagnosed patients and their families.
Living with cancer can seem like an insurmountable challenge.
Hoping is Coping will give you and those close to you, a better
understanding of this illness and its effects. Cost: A donation of
R250,00 per family. A new group, consisting of four sessions, held
on consecutive Mondays is scheduled to start on the first
Saturday of each month. Please confirm with CANSA.
The Link Support Group
The Link Group provides further information to people dealing
with cancer and is open to all who are interested in furthering
their knowledge about the disease. Meetings are scheduled for
the 3rd Tuesday of the month but please confirm with CANSA
beforehand. Free service.
Keurboom Interim Home, Kensington
Telephone: 011 624 1765
For cancer patients residing outside the greater Johannesburg
Metropolitan area and needing a place to stay while under-going
treatment, CANSA has a facility called Keurboom Interim Home.
It offers accommodation for the duration of treatment. Patients
are provided with accommodation and meals from Monday to
Friday. Transport is provided daily between the home and various
oncology centres. Supported by donations.

CANSURVIVE CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS

Contacts: Helpline 073 975 1452
Chris Olivier: 083 640 4949
Email: cansurvive@icon.co.za
Have you been diagnosed with cancer? Do you have a friend or a
family member who has been diagnosed with cancer? Do you
have any questions or concerns? Do you feel the need to talk to
others who have been in the same position? Or are you a survivor
and would just like to meet and interact with other survivors?
Our monthly Support Group meetings are organised by People
Living With Cancer and the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre
for all cancer patients and caregivers, no matter where they have
been treated or what other organisations they belong to. Interest-
ing and informative talks are given each month by qualified per-
sonnel.
Our monthly meetings are held at 18 Eton Road, Parktown,
opposite the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre entrance on the
second Saturday of each month 09h00 - 11h30. No charge is
made.

CHOC – CHILDHOOD CANCER

FOUNDATION OF SOUTH AFRICA
Telephone: 086 111 3500
Email: jhb@choc.org.za
Website: www.choc.org.za
CHOC (an abbreviation of “Childrens Haematology Oncology
Clinics”) is a countrywide voluntary organisation. It brings
together the parents of children who suffer from all varieties of
cancer or life threatening blood disorders. The organisation
provides direct practical help to children with cancer, from
diagnosis onwards, recognising the inevitable disruption to family
life when a child faces vigorous and often lengthy treatment.

FAMILY CANCER PROGRAM AND

CANCER GENETIC CLINIC
The Division of Human Genetics, School of Pathology,
Faculty of Heath Sciences, University of Witwatersrand
and National Health Laboratory Service
Telephone: 011 489-9224
Email: human.genetics@nhls.ac.za
We know that approximately 10% of all cancers/tumours are
familial or inherited and if this is the case, patients and family
members need to go into special surveillance programs and may
have to have specialised tests. All this will be discussed in a clinical
genetic and genetic counseling session if you/your family are found
to be at increased risk.
For private patients, the consultation fee is charged at medical aid
rates and the consultation will take approximately 1 hour. State
patients will be seen at a state clinic.

HOSPICE WITWATERSRAND
50 Second Avenue, Houghton
Telephone: 011 483 9100
Email: arlene@hospicewitwatersrand.org.za
Hospice provides care to meet the physical, emotional, social and
spiritual needs of patients and families facing life-threatening illness.
Qualified personnel can offer advice on pain control and home
services can be arranged. Within an atmosphere of care and
compassion, we offer palliative care service that focuses on the
quality of life, promoting physical and psychosocial well-being for
people with active, progressive and advanced diseases for whom
the prognosis is limited. Hospice aims to achieve the best quality
of life for the patient.

LET’S TALK ABOUT CANCER

Telephone: 073 235 1571 Bev du Toit
Email: bev@talkaboutcancer.org.za
We are the only cancer organisation in South Africa focusing
exclusively on awareness, prevention and early detection for all
cancers. Our campaigns into communities are managed by passionate
and informed survivors and volunteers. If you would like to be part of
the solution to the cancer issue, please contact Bev du Toit.

LIFELINE JOHANNESBURG
LifeLine Johannesburg Counselling Line: (011) 728 1347
LifeLine Johannesburg Office: (011) 728 1331
Email: lifeline@lifelinejhb.org.za
Website: www.lifelinejhb.org.za
LifeLine Johannesburg was established in 1969. As a non-profit
organisation, it exists to facilitate the emotional wellness of
individuals and communities in the Greater Johannesburg area.
Some 250 highly-trained volunteer counsellors work in the
LifeLine Johannesburg, Soweto and Alexandra offices. These
volunteers provide a vital 24-hour telephone counselling service,
as well as face-to-face counselling, rape counselling and trauma
debriefing to those people who traditionally have no access to
psychosocial support.
LOOK GOOD, FEEL BETTER
Telephone: 011 795 3927
Website: www.lgfb.co.za
Look Good…Feel Better helps women facing the trauma and stress
of cancer, assisting them to overcome the distressing appearance
related side effects of their treatment. Self-confidence and self-
esteem can be at an all time low, especially after suffering hair loss,
pale or sallow complexion, uneven skin tone etc.
Specially trained volunteer beauty professionals guide patients
through the 12 step skin care and make up regime with each woman
using her gift of products which she takes home to practice to make
the very best of her appearance. Workshops are free to cancer
patients who receive products, used as tools in the workshop to
assist them to overcome their side effects and gain confidence.

MASTIQUE LINGERIE
Telephone: 071 299 8563
Email: yeomans.helen@gmail.com
Website: www.mastiquelingerie.co.za
Mastique Lingerie specialises in mastectomy wear and breast
prostheses. All the bras, swimsuits and tops are fitted with pockets
to hold the prostheses securely and discreetly. All of our bras do
not have underwire and therefore can be worn after reconstructive
surgery. There are also many beautiful bras to choose from if you
decide not to opt for reconstruction. Situated in a private setting,
Mastique Lingerie provides a personal service for individuals.

MIKE AND LIZ HAIRPIECES

Telephone: 011 782 3907/9
Fax: 086 618 1135
Email: mike.liz@mweb.co.za
Mike and Liz Hairpieces offer a full range of acrylic and human
hair wigs, hairpieces, extension and all accesories. Their specialty
lies in having a small factory where we offer base sizes to be
custom fitted, additional highlights, thickening and lengthening of
wigs. Most importantly they offer private, personal, qualified
hairstylists to attend to your needs. They are a third and fourth
generation family of wig makers and provide the quality service
and experience.

MOMENTS IN TIME
Telephone: 011 465 9815
Email: admin@momentsintime.co.za
Website: www.momentsintime.co.za
You can’t afford to miss your treatment! Financial assistance is
now available! If you need assistance in facilitating your oncology
treatment, help is at hand.
The Moments in Time charitable trust – established to ease the
financial burden of cancer - is providing assistance to those that
need it the most. Contact them to find out if you qualify for
assistance and to get the necessary forms for your doctor to
complete. Funding is only available to patients not on medical aid.
Applications must be submitted in writing by your doctor to
Moments in Time charitable trust.

PLWC – PEOPLE LIVING WITH CANCER, JHB

Helpline 073 975 1452
Email: jhb@plwc.org.za
Website: www. plwc.org.za
The organisation offers a “buddy” support network where cancer
patients can interact with and receive advice and support from
cancer survivors who have a similar profile, disease and treatment
protocol – via telephone, email or face-to-face.
The aim is to provide support to newly diagnosed cancer patients
when treatment starts and to assist with the initial adjustment to
the process. Our Buddies are all cancer survivors who have
undergone basic training to assist them in supporting newly
diagnosed patients and their caregivers. Cancer Buddies do not
provide medical support – this is the role of your doctor, specialist
or clinic.
Survivors and caregivers who would like to help are very welcome
to contact us and enrol as buddies.

REACH FOR RECOVERY

Contact person: Antoinette Reis
Telephone: 011 648-0990/cell: 072-849 2901
Email: rforrjhb@cansa.org.za
Reach for Recovery Jhb offers support to those who have been
diagnosed with or recovered from breast cancer. Trained
volunteers, women who have survived breast cancer, are available
to support patients on a one-to-one basis, both pre-operatively
and post-operatively.
Information about the disease and advice on prostheses and
reconstruction is available. Patients are visited in hospitals or, if
necessary, in their homes and are given ‘comfort’ kits, tools on
how to cope as well as relevant information leaflets.
Permanent prostheses are also available to patients who do not
have medical aid. Meetings of general interest are held every six
weeks on a Wednesday, 13h30–16h00 at Cansa, 19 St. John Rd.,
Houghton Estate. All are welcome and no charge is made.
SA INHERITED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION
Telephone/Fax: 011 489 9213
Cell: 084 200 1988
Email: judy.christie@nhls.ac.za
Umbrella organisation for inherited disorders support groups.

SPECIAL LADY
Office: 011 489 9213
Practice Number: 0880000 153532
Supplies a full service after breast cancer treatment. For all
external breast prostheses, prosthetic underwear and swimsuits,
make an appointment with Cherry Hart.
Nappicodes and ICD 10 codes used for all medical aids

THE SUNFLOWER FUND

Toll free number 0800 12 10 82
Email: tarryn@sunflowerfund.org.za
Telephone: 021 701 0661
Website: www.sunflowerfund.org.za
The Sunflower Fund aims to educate and recruit a viable source of
well informed bone marrow stem cell donors, who are ethnically
diverse, in an effort to save the lives of those needing a bone
marrow stem cell transplant when suffering from leukaemia and
other life threatening blood disorders.All it takes is two test tubes
of blood to register to become a bone marrow stem cell donor. If
you are found to be a match for a patient, the process to harvest
the stem cells is much like a blood transfusion.
The Sunflower Fund strives to maintain the associated donor
records of the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR).
For more information visit our website or call our toll free
number. Share a little, save a life.

Compiled by People Living With Cancer (Johannesburg) and

the CanSurvive Cancer Support Group in the interests of all
cancer patients and caregivers in Johannesburg
and surrounding areas.
Enquiries :
Phone: 083 640 4949
email: jhb@plwc.org.za

Cover graphic: Gill Marshall Graphic Design Studio

Printing sponsored by
Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology