TheĀ Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)Ā recognises the critical need for specialised support when cancer patients face severe illness, and their families require assistance with caregiving. In response, CANSA is proud to introduce theĀ CANSA Care RoomĀ service in Gauteng, offering respite support to cancer patients and their loved ones during challenging times.
āOur goal with the CANSA Care Room service is to ease the burden on cancer patients during difficult periods. Patients may be private or State patients who will receive care and support from staff and volunteers during their stay,ā says Lorraine Govender, National Manager: Health Programmes at CANSA.
There are currently four CANSA Care Rooms, in Gauteng, for terminally ill cancer patients who are already registered with CANSA and require palliative care. They are based at Retire at Home (Pretoria), Uncle Benās Den (Pretoria), Residentia Life ā Huis Hermon (Pretoria North) and at Kruinpark Hospicare (Roodepoort).
This service is made possible through CANSAās partnerships with local retirement homes that have frail care facilities. These retirement homes generously allocate rooms to CANSA, and with the help of local community members and businesses, the rooms are furnished, decorated and prepared to create a comfortable and supportive environment for patients.
A former patient shares their experience while staying at the Care Room who was assisted by CANSA staff, āThe grounds and place is very tidy and there is a homely atmosphere. The staff are very efficient, professional and caring towards me and the other patients. They understand my needs on all levels and respect it. It makes one feel like a worthy person and one can see that they do their work with a passion.ā
Patients and families interested in accessing the CANSA Care Room service are encouraged to reach out to CANSA for more information. CANSAās dedicated team is ready to provide guidance and support throughout the process. For the Pretoria Care Rooms, contact Cisca Loggenberg onĀ cloggenberg@cansa.org.zaĀ and for Roodepoort, contact Isabel Gomes onĀ igomes@cansa.org.za.
CANSA offers further support and resources to all affected by cancer by way of freeĀ CancerCare coping kitsĀ that are handed out to newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families and itsĀ CANSA Tele CounsellingĀ service. This is confidential, professional, cancer-related telephonic counselling to cancer patients, caregivers and their families and parents or guardians of children living with cancer. Counselling is available in seven languages (English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, Sesotho and Setswana) and is free of charge.
