PLWC Cancer Buddies now at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (“Bara”).

21 November 2011.

Pictured at the conclusion of the Cancer Buddies training course in October 2011 are, from left to right:

(Standing): Peter Hers (Chairman, PLWC Johannesburg); Snowy Maphakela, Agnes Mosebekoa, Raynolda Makhutwe, Bev du Toit (PLWC, course lecturer), Lehlohonolo Mokgobo, Sibongile Manyama .

(Seated) Itumeleng Letoaba.

Six volunteers, all cancer survivors who received their treatment at Bara, have been trained as Cancer Buddies and have started providing support to patients at the Breast Clinic.

This initiative is a joint project between People Living with Cancer (PLWC) and BrestSens, an NGO dedicated to providing support to breast cancer patients. The training course was conducted by PLWC volunteers, with the encouragementand support of medical and nursing staff of the Breast Clinic at Bara.

Once over their treatment and on the road to recovery, many cancer patients have a desire to volunteer their services to help newly-diagnosed patients. PLWC provides a structured support system for cancer patients, based on cancer survivors who have been trained to provide first-line support.  Every attempt is made to match patients with someone who has had a similar diagnosis, providing someone who will understand the specific challenges and be able to provide as much guidance as possible.

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital is the second largest hospital in the world, with 3 200 beds and 6 760 staff members. Bara is one of the 40 Gauteng provincial hospitals, and is financed and run by the Gauteng Provincial Health Authorities.  It is a teaching hospital for the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School.

Enquiries:

Peter Hers                             083 445 4634

Email: peter@peterhers.co.za

Kwanele Pooe-Shongwe     082 902 7929

Email: batsips@mweb.co.za

The content of the training was as follow:
o Understanding the goals of the “Cancer Buddy” program.
o Understanding the role of the “Cancer Buddy” volunteer and how to support people living with cancer.
o Basic communication skills.
o How to engage with newly diagnosed cancer patients within the “Patient Active Model”.

For me personally the weekend served as an eye-opener in terms of what the cancer survivor and his or her family goes through from the moment the diagnoses is made. All the emotions of shock, fear, uncertainty, severe distress and loss of control (to name a few) that the survivor, caregiver and family face is overwhelming. And that is what the training is all about. You, as a cancer survivor who experienced all the emotions of going through cancer and the treatments can be of so much help to a new survivor and his or her family. As a buddy you will be able to make the life of someone else a little bit easier at a time that is not easy. You will be able to have the satisfaction of giving back and helping someone else.

I’ve learnt that not only the survivor, but also the caregiver, needs attention. A small gesture like just sitting with the person, holding their hand, to fetch the children from school or dropping of a prepared meal might make a big difference to the family. It’s also to listen if they want to talk, but to understand if they do not want to talk.

I’ve learnt that there is no such thing as a cancer sufferer. The moment that a person is diagnosed with cancer, he or she becomes a cancer survivor.

I’ve learnt that laughter and being positive is an inspiration to the soul.

Feedback provided by Jana Strydom