Fighting Cancer Together

Fighting Cancer Together

In a world where community involvement and support for those in need play a pivotal role, the UKZN Corporate Relations Division collaborated with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei (DKMS) to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer and other various blood-health challenges through the Shavathon Drive and Blood Cell Donor Drive.

CANSA, a non-profit organisation renowned for its unwavering commitment to supporting those affected by cancer, annually hosts the Shavathon drive, an initiative where people shave their heads, spray their hair with different colours and donate in solidarity with cancer survivors and patients.

This initiative was held in all UKZN campuses with the exception of the Medical School. CANSA’s KwaZulu Natal Sustainability Coordinator, Ms Francisca Brecht, said the UKZN Shavathon event aimed to bring awareness to students. ‘The donations made will go towards the “four pillars of cancer” which are research, education, support and advocacy. As the only NPO that does research in South Africa, we also provide a lot of patient support, such as our care home which provides accommodation, meals and transportation for patients going through their cancer journey. We also do advocacy and give away awareness materials. Currently in SA, we are going through a stoma crisis and are fighting towards ending that crisis. Even though Shavathon seems small, it has a huge contribution (in the fight against cancer).’

The DKMS drive focuses on recruiting potential blood stem donors, and spreading cancer and blood disorders awareness. ‘We register as many potential stem cell donors as possible,’ said Donor Recruiter, Mr Brown Dubazana. The registry process involves filling out a one-page form and an inner cheek swap. If you happen to match with a blood cancer patient, you are requested to come in for screenings before you donate. ‘The procedure is the same as donating blood, no operation or surgery, just donating in a form of dialysis,’ he explained.

Commenting on the initiative, Corporate Relations Executive Director, Ms Normah Zondo said: ‘It’s exciting to see students and staff coming through to register with DKMS and paint their hair in support of the CANSA drive. We encourage students and staff to become donors. Our ongoing partnership with DMKS is growing and they mentioned that the number of people donating, especially from the University, is growing which is exciting as our staff and students are making a difference by saving someone’s life.’

CANSA also received a donation cheque of R12 000 from Corporate Relations handed over by Zondo.

Reflecting on her cancer journey, Ms Shakila Thakurpersad from the Corporate Relations Division, said the journey as a cancer patient is yours alone but a positive attitude and mindset is essential. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2018 and is now cancer-free going towards the end of her five-year treatment. Her advice to women is to ‘ensure to go for regular mammograms’ because sometimes there will be no lump – something she experienced. Thakurpersad stressed on the importance of early detection which can save your life. 

The initiative was well supported by students and staff as they donated, signed-up to become donors and sprayed their hair.

Words: Zama Khoza

Photographs: Sethu Dlamini