Linda Greeff (right) with 2 reporters.

I have just returned from New York after the gathering of 42 Global  Cancer Ambassadors  from around the world . We met for training with the  American Cancer Society taking the lead in preparing us to meet with our countries UN delegation to lobby support for the important  UN High-level  Meeting on NCDs in September 2011.
We hope that this intervention will raise the profile of NCDs on the  global stage, mobilize the international community to take action, secure the commitment of Heads of State to lead the cross-government effort  necessary to reverse the epidemic, and send a clear message to donors and  funders.

The UN High Level Meeting (HLM) represents a powerful opportunity for  global leadership to provide the right momentum needed to dramatically  improve the approach and management of NCDs for future generations.

 We urged that our Head of State attend the meeting and support the  production of a final outcomes document that supports the recommendations of the NCD Alliance.

 As cancer and tobacco control advocates, we would like to especially  highlight two of the NCD Alliance recommendations as critical to the success of the UN High Level Meeting:
 1.Accelerate implementation of the WHO FCTC to achieve a world free from  tobacco by 2040.
2.a)Increase access to affordable drugs and technologies for cancer and  other NCDs.
 b) Provision of affordable HBV and HPV vaccines, as appropriate; access to  resource appropriate organized early detection programs for breast and  cervical cancer;
c)access to essential medicines and technologies and provision of pain  relief for end-of-life care.
We hope and will work for these issues to be prioritised  world wide after  September 2011 .
 We need  as many as possible South African Cancer survivors to share their  stories and  realities of the cancer exsperience so that we can ensure  that  Cancer become  real and has a face for our politicians  can start  understanding the impact of cancer on peoples lives .

Please post your stories and contact us  so you can become involved in this process.

 Linda Greeff
 Director

 PLWC

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro yesterday said cancer and other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) could be curbed, if governments, the private sector, academia and scientists join forces against them.

Migiro spoke at the UN Secretariat, New York during a Media Forum on NCDs, which was organised by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the UN Department of Public Information, for reporters from over 20 countries.

She said without stakeholders joining forces, the fight against NCDs could not be won.

Migiro said: “Unlike sicknesses caused by a mosquito, a virus or an infection, NCDs are linked to factors, such as food, tobacco, environmental pollution and a lack of exercise. These may sound like matters of individual habits. After all, people can decide for themselves whether they smoke or drink too much or whether they fail to get exercise or over-eat. Changing individual habits is essential, yes. A major part of our campaign will be to promote exercise, reduce excessive consumption of alcohol and cut the use of tobacco products. But this is not only a campaign for individuals.

“Governments can take decisions that reward and encourage healthy habits. Equally, they can raise the financial cost of unhealthy habits. Governments can also strengthen health care for people with NCDs. They can fund research. Academics and scientists can foster progress. And the private sector can make sure that while they pursue profits, they also protect health. Companies can adjust formulas of their foods to include better ingredients and ban those that are known to be harmful. Companies can also act responsibly when marketing products to children. And all of us can take measures to keep harmful chemicals out of our environment. Raising awareness is a simple and economical way to prevent NCDs.”

Janie en haar span

Janie en haar span soek ‘n naam vir hulle kanker-bewusmakingsveldtog. Help haar, en jy kan wen met Revlon.

Kliek op die link vir meer inligting en die wedstrydinskrywingsvorm. Die kompetisie eindig 31 Mei 2011.

http://www.sarie.com/bekendes/het-jy-gehoor/janie-du-plessis-het-jou-hulp-nodig/

Linda Greeff

Baie mense in Suid-Afrika wat behandelbare kanker het, sterf  daaraan omdat hulle weens rompslomp tot agt of meer maande op behandeling in staatshospitale wag.

“Mense se kanse op oorlewing is sleg omdat die prosesse wat gebruik word, swak is, “  het me. Linda Greeff, direkteur van People Living With Cancer, gister hier op ‘n inligtingsessie gese.

Vandag en more sal 35 nie-regeringsorganisasies wat by kanker betrokke is, Suid-Afrika se eerste kankerforum stig.

Dit sal uiteindelik lei tot ‘n amptelike “oproep tot aksie gerig aan die regering en betrokkenes” om toegang tot behandeling en sorg en die lewensgehalte van kankerpasiente te verbeter. Dit word gelei deur Livestrong, Campaigning for Cancer en die Amerikaanse Kankervereniging.

Greeff het gese die meeste mense in die land wat van die openbare gesondheidsektor afhanklik is, het nie vervoer om behandeling te ontvang nie.

“Al tien radioterapie-eenhede in die land is in die stede. Mense van die Suid-Kaap moet vir ses weke na Kaapstad kom en baie verloor hul inkomste. Uiteindelik kan die mense nie volhou met behandeling nie, en baie sterf.”

Sy het gese daar is ook nie genoeg kenners by klinieke om kanker te diagnoseer nie, en soms neem dit maande voordat mense uiteindelik by hospitale uitkom – dikwels te laat.

Me. Elsabe Schlechter van Reach for Recovery het gese: ” Dit is ‘n nagmerrie vir plattelandse mense om vir behandeling by hospitale uit te kom.” Sy het verwys na ‘n vrou wat ses maande moes wag voordat sy medikasie kon kry.

Elsabe Brits

Kaapstad

Die Burger   Donderdag 12 Mei 2011

As usual it will be held at 18 Eton Road, Parktown starting at 9h00. An Interventional Radiologist will be giving the talk and answering your questions and, afterwards, we look forward to talking to many old and new members and hearing more about their journey with cancer.

We would appreciate it if you would pass this notice on to anyone you know who may be interested in attending the meeting. All patients and caregivers are welcome and there is no charge.

Best wishes to you all,

Chris Olivier

cansurvive@icon.co.za

083 640 4949

Become a Buddy

PERSONAL QUALITIES needed to become a Cancer BUDDY for PLWC:

• One year or more since surgery or other treatment for cancer;
• We have found that this time allows the individual to be better prepared for this work, and also to feel physically and psychologically well;
• The volunteer needs to be in good health and have a recommendation from their doctor;
• By their presence, the volunteer provides an example of recovery and return to everyday life & HOPE;
• The volunteer needs to be motivated by their own experience to help others in a similar situation;
• and also be able to communicate in an open,  sensitive and caring way;
• We are looking for people who have learned from their own experiences and are realistic about themselves;
• Committed to their own personal growth and development;
• Maturity;
• Sensitivity;
• Warmth;
• Flexibility;
• a sense of humor is invaluable;
• An ability to work co-operatively as a member of a team;
• Able to work independently;
• Volunteers need to be able to make a commitment to training requirements and additional education and supervision programmers.

Training Content:

• Understanding the goals of the “Buddy” Cancer Support Service program;
• Understand the role of the “Buddy” Cancer Support Service volunteer in the support of persons living with cancer;
• Understanding and familiarization with the surgical and medical treatment of cancer patients;
• Understanding hospital services, the need to collaborate with the medical and paramedical staff and the day to day management within the hospital;
• Acquire basics communication skills.

Visit preparation done during training to deal with face to face patient visits or telephone visits:

Objectives

• To discuss the practical aspects of the cancer support volunteer;
• To clarify expectations of the PLWC support volunteer and the co-ordinator with regard to communication and support;
• To identify and describe the volunteer system in which the volunteer operates;
• To assist the PLWC support volunteer to make the transition from trainee to volunteer service provider;
• Knowledge of community support available to people living with cancer;
• Understanding of the psychosocial impact of cancer;
• Development of effecticve communication skills;
• Confidentiality;
• Knowledge of practical aspects of visits.  This includes the referral system, information kits and the reporting and supervision system for volunteers;
• Balancing volunteer life and personal life;
• Identification of support available to the volunteer.

The Confidentiality Priciples:

• To respect the confidences entrusted to the volunteer and not disclose confidential information to any unauthorized person;
• To exercise all reasonable care and caution to protect written and printed confidential information from unauthorized or casual observation;
• To create awareness through the training re the importance of this issue at all times.

If you are interested to assist in getting the following branches up and going, please contact us:

Durban                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Bloemfontein