The tireless work of South African non-profit organisation Reach for Recovery (R4R) is funded each year by the Power of Pink campaign, a South African Mushroom Farmers’ Association’s (SAMFA) initiative. R1 from every pink punnet of fresh mushrooms sold nationally at Pick n Pay stores during October is donated to R4R’s Ditto Project.  The sole objective of this very special project is to provide free silicone prostheses to breast cancer survivors who cannot afford reconstruction after the life altering and heartbreaking reality of a mastectomy.

Launched in 2011, the Power of Pink campaign has resulted in just under 8000 silicone prostheses provided to financially strapped breast cancer survivors at a cost of more than R5,5 million. “To our astonishment,” exclaims Stephné Jacobs, Reach for Recovery’s National Chairperson, “2020 saw the highest amount raised since the campaign’s inception.  Big hearted South Africans contributed just under R700 000.00 despite their own financial hardships brought on by a year of lockdowns and job cuts. We and the Ditto Project recipients have been truly humbled by this generosity.”

“We couldn’t be prouder of our association with Reach for Recovery’s Ditto Project,” adds SAMFA Chairperson, Ross Richardson. “The dedication of every R4R volunteer – a breast cancer survivor herself – and the immense kindness of all South Africans who support the campaign is such restorative testimony to the goodness that lives in people.”

“Courage is grace under pressure,” said Ernest Hemingway in a 1929 interview with poet Dorothy Parker for The New Yorker magazine. He, of course, was right. Over these difficult Covid-19 years, it’s a mantra that has fuelled and furthered R4R’s most delicate of work, performed out of the public eye. “Lockdown regulations and the vulnerable health of breast cancer survivors in need brought about new challenges for R4R and our Ditto Project,” explains Stephné. “But being survivors ourselves, we realised very quickly that we could and must continue with our services in other ways! As we have done for 53 years, we continued our work with the assistance of advanced technology.

Our organisation’s Peer Support Services passionately offered ongoing much needed support via telephone, WhatsApp, and video conferencing. I am proud to be able to say that we were able to comfort women who not only went through mastectomies but who would also have had to live through the dreadful experience in complete isolation if we were not at the other end for them!”

Whilst fresh mushrooms and breast cancer have a strong humanitarian connection in South Africa, there is another scientific link between fresh mushrooms and the fight against breast cancer. In 2010, the Beckman Institute at the City of Hope Cancer Centre in California found that eating just 10g of mushrooms a day more than halved people’s risk of developing breast cancer.

That’s means eating just one fresh mushroom a day, a staggeringly easy step in self-care to avoid the ravages of such a terrible disease.  So, in 2021 let’s once again take courage together, for each of our own health and the restoration of breast cancer survivors. Let’s once again purchase fresh mushrooms in pink punnets at Pick n Pay stores from September 20 this year in an extended Power of Pink campaigns that will run until the end of October.

For more information, please contact Gina McLoughlin on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0824137538.

Alternatively go to SAMFA’s website: www.mushroominfo.co.za

November is the time to go pink in Nelson Mandela Bay at the annual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer, which will be hosted on Saturday, November 4.

This year the theme is “Walk as 1,” with the slogan being “we walk for family, we walk for fun, we walk as 1”.

“What we have learned over the years from the province’s leading cancer support services is that there is always hope of remission, and that cancer in the family affects all generations,” says Dohné Damons PR and CSI Manager at Algoa FM.

The Eastern Cape Department of Health hosts a number of activations in shopping malls where it provides free screening and education in the weeks running up to the Big Walk for Cancer.“Cancer is one of the serious challenges society faces.

The Eastern Cape Department of Health fully supports the Big Walk and urges all members of the public to continue supporting the initiative. Let us all be there in numbers to demonstrate our support of cancer victims,” says MEC of the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Dr P. Dyantyi.

The annual five kilometre walk along the Port Elizabeth beach-front attracts over 10 000 people.Proceeds raised by the 2017 walk will go to CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa), CANSA (The Cancer Association of South Africa) and the Igazi Foundation.

The Igazi Foundation has been treating Eastern Cape blood cancer patients since 2010, and 2017 will be its fourth year of receiving support from the Big Walk.CHOC, which helps children with cancer, and CANSA, which provides prevention and early detection services in Port Elizabeth and surrounds, are being supported for the second consecutive year.

“These organisations make a real difference in the lives of people with cancer and those close to them. It is a privilege for Algoa FM to be able to help raise funds for their work,” says Damons.

The entry fee is R65 per walker with a discounted rate of just R60 to all walkers who enter online.

There are limited pink T-shirts with the unique “Walk as 1” logo for the first 7 000 entrants.

Walkers will start at eight from the lower entrance gate in the parking area of the Boardwalk off Second Avenue in Summerstrand, and walk along Beach Road to the Beacon, ending on the Festival Lawns in the Boardwalk complex.

There will be family entertainment, food and coffee stalls available.

Registration can be completed online at algoafm.co.za, or entry forms can be collected from Brian Bands on Cape Road, Brocketts Sports in Uitenhage and Totalsports in Cleary Park Shopping Centre, Walmer Park Shopping Centre, Greenacres Shopping Centre and Baywest Mall.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” was the response received from Marius de Vries of CANSA (The Cancer Association of South Africa) after hearing the news that CANSA had been chosen as one of three beneficiaries for the 2017 Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer.Igazi Foundation and CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa) have also been chosen as the beneficiaries for the walk that raises funds for cancer organisations.

“You guys are really good to us and we can’t thank you enough for all the support you offer,” says Cole Cameron of Igazi Foundation.

“Words do not do justice to how grateful we are to be a beneficiary of this amazing event in aid of cancer sufferers,” says Anne Marie Stephenson of CHOC.

The three non-governmental organisations have been chosen because they encompass a wide range of cancer treatments, from early detection procedures to the treatment and care of children with cancer, and the specialisation needed for the treatment of patients with blood cancer, according to Dohné Damons PR and CSI Manager at Algoa FM.

“CHOC, CANSA and Igazi Foundation received R100 000 each from the 2016 Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer thanks to the support of the Nelson Mandela Bay community,” she says.Igazi Foundation has been offering its services to the Eastern Cape blood cancer patients since 2010, and 2017 will be its fourth year of receiving support from the walk, which is the biggest single charity event in the Eastern Cape.

Between 2014 and 2016 Igazi Foundation has received R800 000, and was able to purchase a much-needed X-Ray machine, as well as to establish the Aloe Igazi Haemotology Unit and the Aloe Igazi Pediatric Unit at the Provincial Hospital in Port Elizabeth.CHOC, which provides services to children who suffer from cancer and CANSA, which offers wide ranging prevention and early detection services in PE, are being supported for the second consecutive year with the proceeds raised by the Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer.

CHOC has used the donation received from the 2016 event to fund its support key services in the Provincial Pediatric Oncology unit, and CANSA used its donation to renovate its Strelitzia Care Home.

“These organisations care so much for the cause they serve, that the opportunity to assist is a gesture from Algoa FM, thanking them for the amazing work that they do for our community,” says Damons.

“It’s a positive cycle because the funds donated to the organisations are raised through Nelson Mandela Bay’s support of the walk,” says Damons.The Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer is a 5km route along the beachfront in Summerstrand.

Each year the Nelson Mandela Bay community creates a ribbon of pink in remembrance of those who have passed, in support of those who are affected and to encourage the idea that cancer can be beaten.The 2017 event will take place on 4 November. 

For every meter of the five kilometre course, R60 was raised for cancer treatment and support at the 2016 Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer, presented by the Eastern Cape Department of Health.

Among the 11 000 walkers who braved rain and wind were the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Phumulo Masualle, the MEC of Health, Dr Pumza Dyantyi, the MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Pemmy Majodina, and the Executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Athol Trollip.

The annual walk, which is one of the biggest charity events in the Eastern Cape, raised a total of R300 000 to support non-profit cancer organisations in the Eastern Cape.

The Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa (CHOC), the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Igazi Foundation each received R100 000 at a formal cheque hand-over, held in Port Elizabeth on Friday, March 31.

The Igazi Foundation has already used the proceeds donated by the walk to purchase a much-needed X-ray Machine.

“This machine saves lives. Before the machine arrived, we had to send our patients to Livingstone Hospital to have X-rays done, which was extremely inconvenient” says Cole Cameron of the Igazi Foundation.

CANSA will be using the funds to restore and maintain the Strelitzia Care Home.

“It is a home-away-from-home that accommodates patients undergoing cancer treatment at the oncology clinics that are located far from their homes. The Strelitzia Care Home provides a safe and comfortable environment for patients who are undergoing treatment,” says CANSA’s, Marius de Vries.

“CHOC will be using the donation to service its key areas at the Provincial Hospital Paediatric Oncology Unit.

“The money will be used to support our psychosocial services, and to transport children in Port Elizabeth and from the surrounding areas such as Tsitsikamma, Cradock and Grahamstown, to receive treatment at the Provincial Hospital Paediatric Oncology Unit,” says Anne-Marie Stephenson the Fundraising Manager of CHOC Port Elizabeth.

The Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer has been nominated in two categories, “Community Project” and “Promotions/Stunt Event”, at the 2017 Liberty Radio Awards.

“The success of the walk, the money it raises in support of the fight against cancer, and the recognition it receives is all thanks to Algoa Country. Without the support of the community, it wouldn’t be as successful,” says the managing director of Algoa FM, Dave Tiltmann. The 2017 Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer will be held on the 4th of November.

By: Dohné Damons

Enquiries: Dohné Damons PR and CSI Manager at Algoa FM

Tel/Cell: 041 505-9471/082 684 4125

Aussie: The Australian Circus Spectaculars’ has accompanied its debut in Gauteng with the announcement of a schools’ fundraising effort for children affected by cancer. Classes within individual schools that raise the most money for CANSA’s children’s arm, CANSA TLC (Tough Living with Cancer) will win tickets to see performances of Aussie Circus. The Australian Circus, which kicked off its world tour in Cape Town last month, has donated close to 1000 tickets (valued at over R200 000) for the CANSA TLC fundraising initiative, which begins in Gauteng, but will be rolled out nationally over the coming months, while the circus is on tour.

“We are delighted to have Aussie Circus and Gauteng schools as partners in this auspicious fundraising initiative,” said Vera van Dalen, National Project Manager for Childhood cancer support. “The funding will go towards a number of projects, which include providing accommodation for families of children undergoing hospital treatment, to actually providing medical assistance to children in need,” she said.

Commenting on the circus’ involvement in the fundraising effort, Aussie’s executive producer Sebastian Cassie said: “CANSA TLC is a cause close to our hearts, and we welcome the opportunity to give back to the South African community.” Cassie said that the support Aussie has received from the South African public has been heartening, especially given that this is the first time that the circus has performed here.

“We have been overwhelmed by requests by towns and cities throughout the country, for us to come and perform,” he said. The CANSA TLC fundraiser will initially be rolled out to 24 schools throughout Gauteng. Each class within a school will receive donation tins, and the class that raises the highest number of donations, will receive complimentary tickets to the circus. As part of raising awareness of the fundraising campaign and stimulate enthusiasm, performers at Aussie circus will be staging presentations at individual schools throughout the campaign.

Aussie Circus will be touring Gauteng throughout May and will be moving to Bloemfontein later next month.

Schools interested in participating can contact Jan Karsten on 083 555 5509.

About CANSA TLC

CANSA’s TLC Programme focuses on raising awareness of childhood cancers and early detection, as well as providing tangible love, care and support to youth and families affected by cancer.

Children and teens diagnosed with cancer or affected by cancer (a family member has cancer) are supported, as we believe no child or family should have to face cancer on their own. Because it’s Tough Living with Cancer.

About AUSSIE: The Australian Circus Spectacular

AUSSIE is a modern, circus spectacular that represents the daring, inventive, and cheeky nature of the Australian spirit. The show blends traditional acrobatic cirque performances in the air and on the ground, hilarious slapstick comedy, and modern, extreme stunts to ensure that there is something for all of the family to smile, clap, laugh, and gasp at.

The circus is currently touring South Africa, touching down in Cape Town, George, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Bloemfontein, Pretoria, Sandton and Carnival City (Johannesburg) between February and December 2016!