CanSir

 www.can-sir.co.za

The birth of Can-Sir came about through Ismail-Ian Fife’s (a Cancer survivor) own life experience with Cancer. He shared his ideas with a fellow Cancer survivor, Stephen Small, and they then realised the difficulty men in general were experiencing when it came to Cancer treatment, coping with Cancer and openly talking about Cancer due to either, being ill informed or uncaring medical staff, cultural differences or the stigma attached to Cancer. So major brainstorming took place between various role players and finally Can-Sir was established by Ismail-Ian Fife (Financial Management Accountant) and Stephen Small (Certified Financial Planner), with the full support of there spouses Bianca Jacobs-Fife and Vanessa Small.

Can-Sir is an Affiliate to The NGO People Living With Cancer (PLWC) who set about developing volunteer peer counselling guidelines that are aligned with international protocols and which allows Can-Sir to benefit from one of the most established volunteer psycho-social programmes in the country through its Affiliation

 Can-Sir is an awareness campaigner, support and care group for those living with Cancer and their families.

Our mission is:

• To contribute to the well being of those suffering with cancer, and their families.
• To improve the awareness of Prostate, Testicular and other forms of cancer, through awareness and educational programs.
• To provide and offer support and services to not only men, but to all people across South Africa, particularly to those who do not have access to information.
• To offer a support network for men with cancer and their families, which will give men a forum to openly talk about their illness, whether individually or in a group, in a cordial environment with other cancer survivors.
• To ensure that men are encouraged to involve their families in their fight and to educate them and their families about their illness.
• To fight against the stigmas and myths of cancer, particularly with regards to men, by educating the communities and public.
• To make the public aware of the importance of early detection of cancer that will enable more effective treatment and a better chance of recovery.
• To improve the welfare and quality of care not only for men but for all suffering with cancer.
• To provide direct help to men with cancer, from diagnosis, recognizing the inevitable disruption to family life when a father and possibly the only bread winner faces vigorous and often lengthy treatment.
• To be the mouthpiece for all those who currently do not have a voice and are too scared to speak out against the indifferences they are experiencing within their communities and public health facilities.

In order to meet our goals and to stay true to our mission, funds raised will be applied to directly stay true to those goals as well as benefit the families and support those involved in the treatment of this most serious illnesses.

Our Volunteers will be trained and educated for the cancer challenge which will enable them to get involved and take ownership in the fight against cancer by sharing their resources and their talents in their own communities.

Ismail-Ian Fife