In late October, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) were thrilled to be presented with a generous donation, of R1 million from the Motsepe Foundation, at the African Fashion International opening function held in Gauteng. 

For 90 years, CANSA has played a vital role in ensuring that cancer patients have access to the life-saving information, treatment and support they need to overcome their illness. CANSA also stives to support cancer patients, and their loved ones on an emotional level, so that they do not have to walk this road alone, and actively advocates for equal health services for all in South Africa. 

COVID-19 put an enormous strain on CANSA’s services as financial support to the organisation decreased. CANSA CEO, Elize Joubert, explains, “Individual donors were now, understandably anxious about salary cuts, retrenchments and the failing economy. Having to cancel our fundraising events, due to the lockdowns, resulted in our fundraising income falling by more than 60%, which adversely affected our operations across South Africa.” 

For this reason, the Motsepe Foundation chose to support CANSA. Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Co-founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation and former president of CANSA, acknowledged the wonderful work that CANSA has been offering for over nine decades. “They’re an organisation that serves the whole of South Africa, also going into rural areas, to teach communities that they must take ownership of their personal health, know the warning signs of cancer and CANSA delivers a wide range of care and support services to those who have nowhere else to go.” 

“Every woman, and man, should take charge of their health and have access to information, screening and treatment. The Trustees of the Motsepe Foundation want to ensure that CANSA can continue offering their much-needed services”, Moloi-Motsepe added. 

Overwhelmed with emotion and appreciation, Elize Joubert expressed her utmost gratitude for the donation to CANSA saying, “CANSA recognises that to survive in the current challenging climate, we need strong partnerships that will help us to reach our mission and objectives. We align ourselves with those that have a passion for cancer patients and cancer control in SA. This will help pull CANSA through a very difficult time and for that we are most thankful to the Motsepe Foundation for their kindness and support of our programmes to support cancer patients, caregivers and loved ones.” 

Over 110 000 people are diagnosed with cancer in South Africa and many of them face challenges, which lead to a poor prognosis or are fatal to them. Financial assistance to CANSA will ensure that CANSA can continue to access vulnerable communities across South Africa and carry out screening services, as well as provide emotional support and counselling through CANSA Care Centres and CANSA Care Homes.