This is Raynolda’s report -

The talk went very well –  there were  90+ people and I was given time from 8H45-10H00 and that gave me enough time  to open for questions.  I even  managed to have a 1 on 1 session. I will be doing another talk this  Thursday at the same clinic.

My topic today was” Early detection saves lives” and ” The importance of a support group”.  I spoke more about shy cancers according to the pamphlets.

I had a chat after the talk with Sister Jose Monamodi (Sister in charge) who is also a cervical cancer survivor who assured  me that we can start a support group.

Her contact number is: 082 5881182  and the name of the clinic is Odirile Maponya-Kid Maponya is one of the schools I went to do  trauma counselling.

We both agreed that there is a great need for one. She said 2 weeks ago  people came to her about a  gentleman who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer;  and some ladies with female cancers  were asking her there was a  support group around and she said there was none.

We agreed about starting a support group in April and she going to have a meeting and come back to me with the date.

They showed me the place which we will be using and I will request Peter and team to be present.

I will be using more pamphlets/flyers and will be needing more if possible.

Tomorrow I will be joining the Chris Hani buddies as  they requested that I should join them.

CanSurvive Cancer Support Group

The group is run by members of the Johannesburg branch of People Living with Cancer in association with the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre and is open to any patient or caregiver.

Meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month.

Time:                   09h00 – 11h30
Venue:                 18 Eton Road, Parktown (opposite Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre main entrance)

The date for meetings in 2012 are:

January 14
February 11
March 10
April 14
May 12
June 9
July 14
August 11
September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8

Enquiries:            073 975 1452

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

After the talk we hope to have some time to sit and share experiences.

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.

Thank you

Chris Olivier,
cansurvive@icon.co.za

Prostate Invite

The group is run by members of the Johannesburg branch of People Living with Cancer in association with the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre and is open to any patient or caregiver.

Meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month.

Time:                   09h00 – 11h30
Venue:                 18 Eton Road, Parktown (opposite Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre main entrance)

Dates for 2011:

8 January                             9 July
12 February                        13 August
12 March                             10 September
9 April                                   8 October
14 May                                 12 November
11 June                                 10 December

All patients and caregivers are welcome. No charge is made.

Speakers lined up for 2011 include:

Dietician, experienced in helping cancer patients
Occupational therapist, discussing daily living
Oncologist
Interventional Radiologist
Music therapist
Legal aspect of the PMBs and dealing with medical aids
Laughter therapist
Physiotherapist

Enquiries:            073 975 1452
Email:                    jhb@plwc.org.za

Our vision is to be there in good times and bad; to provide a warm and loving environment for women going through treatment for a unique and devastating cancer; to create hope and focus for the future.

In June 2009, a support group was formed to advise, mentor and uplift men and women with anal canal cancer.  Some of us have had surgery to remove the rectum and anus, resulting in a permanent colostomy and followed by a lengthy course of radiation. Others have opted for the treatment route, and have undergone chemotherapy in conjunction with extensive radiation.  All have “after effects”; all have had to adapt to a changed lifestyle.

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”.

This is a place where you can talk about anything and everything without embarrassment; where laughter is loud and compassion is strong.

Please get in touch with us.  Contact Gail Silberman on 082 600 8901 or email: gailann@mweb.co.za

Our speaker will be Darrin Wolberg, a Social Worker attached to Donald Gordon Medical Centre to specifically assist Oncology patients. Darrin will be available to answer your questions afterwards so have them ready.
We look forward to seeing you for early morning coffee on Saturday at 09h00 for 9h30 at 18 Eton Road, Parktown (opposite WDGMC main entrance)

All cancer patients and caregivers are welcome.
There is no charge.

Enquiries: Bernice Lass, WDGMC 011 356 6148, or
Chris Olivier, People Living with Cancer
plwc@icon.co.za or 083 640 4949

Hodgkins lymphoma
Breast
Prostate
Ovarian
Melanoma
Cervical
Germ Cell
Kidney
Anal canal

If you would like a Cancer Buddy to contact you, please contact the Johannesburg Group Coordinator, Chris at 083 640 4949 or plwc@icon.co.za.

Topics covered were:
How to build relationships
What is cancer
Discussions and different treatment modalities
Cancer staging
Special investigations for cancer patients
Communication
The patient active model of care

A Special word of thanks to Discovery for sponsorship of the travelling cost of the trainer. Without this sponsorship the training would not have been possible.
The oncology ward nursing manger, sister Bernice Lass and all her support of her clinical and management team at the Donald Gordon Oncology Centre is much appreciated.

We look forward to the full utilisation of this group of new Cancer Buddies in future and would like to thank them all for their
contribution.

Linda Greeff
Director PLWC

A big thank you to Dr Adam Nosworthy for his support and contribution to the project.