The Nothobile Senior Girls’ Club has called on the community to show support for those who have been diagnosed with any kind of cancer.
At the club’s breast cancer awareness event, held on Wednesday July 26, 100 seniors were taught about and screened for the disease at the Monwabisi Hall. They said it was easy for anyone to feel alone and distraught after being diagnosed with cancer.
The club’s secretary, Gwen Mbeia, said they had organised the event in collaboration with PinkDrive to offer support to members who had been diagnosed with cancer and also to raise awareness about it.
She commended her club for taking the initiative to teach each other about the scourge.
She said having a good support group can make a big difference in the way breast cancer patients cope with their struggle.
“We have noticed that the breast cancer rate among us is high. We have members that have been struggling with it. This is our way of giving them support. They need to know that it not only affects them, but all of us,” she said.
Members of the club came in their numbers, some wearing pink. To many of them the day was about more than just raising awareness about breast cancer, but about taking action to save lives.
At the event, those present could also have their cholesterol levels and blood pressure checked, and be screened for diabetes.
Ms Mbeia said people were often scared to test alone but when campaigns like this happen, they feel more comfortable doing so.
Meagan Davids, of PinkDrive, an NGO which raises awareness about breast cancer and offers a mobile mammography service, said young and old should learn more about the fight against breast cancer and how they can show support by taking action against this disease. She said early detection and treatment of breast cancer could save the lives of thousands of women in the country.
“There is a need to increase awareness of the disease. We were happy to be invited here to give educational classes.
“We have educated them on the signs of the disease. We have also showed them how to do their own breast examinations. They have been good and highly willing to learn. That, to us, is a plus, to have seniors who still need to learn. This means they will pass the information to others,” she said.
