Cape Town - Breast cancer warriors have rolled up their sleeves to spread the love to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Ditto Project of Reach for Recovery’s Cape Peninsula Branch, in partnership with The South African Mushroom Farmers’ Association (SAMFA), launched The Power of Pink campaign on October 1 and aimed to empower breast cancer patients and raise R600 000 and to support the less fortunate beneficiaries.
Carla Lind, the regional chairperson for Reach for Recovery, said the partnership goes a long way in retaining hope and restoring dignity to hundreds of affected women who can’t afford access to comfortable resources and support systems during their recovery. She said, since March last year there has been a need for 635 prostheses at a cost of over R567 000.
“State patients do not have the luxury of shopping at a mastectomy boutique for a proper mastectomy bra after they have received an external breast from the Ditto Project. Many of them do not have access to either the proper bra or the correct size, so vital for supporting the external prosthesis. So, in May 2022, the Cape Peninsula branch of the Ditto Project started offering a new, subsidised mastectomy bra.
"The Power of Pink Campaign continues to be our biggest campaign. The project appeals to donors and the general public because of the emotions evoked through the story of women with no medical aid in need of practical and emotional support to regain their self-confidence," said Lind.
Initially, Ditto produces and offers patients access to high-quality silicone breast prostheses, and the bra campaign enhances their services.
According to a statement, the Thursdays Lingerie uses their supportive Cape Everlasting Wireless Bralette pattern as a baseline for the mastectomy bra. After consultation with Ditto Project, it was then developed into the Carla Mastectomy Bra launched this year.
Shona Macdonald, owner of Thursdays Lingerie, explained: “Designing a bra that can give these women a sense of self pride, allowing them to recognise themselves in the mirror and feel beautiful in public spaces, is so meaningful. Our vocation is to help women see themselves through the kind and loving eyes of their best friend.”
SAMFA chairperson, Ross Richardson, said "Every woman deserves to feel whole, to feel well and to feel cared for. As we do every year, we invite you, once again, to do your bit by simply popping into any Pick n Pay store nationally, where you’ll find pink punnets of fresh mushrooms. R1 from each punnet purchased goes to the Ditto Project, which provides breast prostheses to cancer survivors who can’t afford them. You are always surprised and elated by the good vibes you feel when you know that you are directly supporting an unknown sister, mother, aunt or daughter.”