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

South Africa – The Maybe Mom Softcup, a flexible menstrual cup that is worn internally for up to 12-hour period protection, officially hit shelves this month in Clicks and Wellness Warehouse nationwide as well a selected Spar Stores in Gauteng. A revolutionary menstrual product gaining popularity with on-the-go women, the Softcup is now more widely available at incredibly affordable rates for all active and busy women in South Africa.       

Every single month, half of the world’s population is forced to spend outrageous amounts of money on environmentally-harmful products to deal with their periods. We wanted to provide an ecofriendly and inexpensive alternative for every woman.”        

The Maybe Mom Softcup is disc shaped and inserted to fit just below the cervix, and collects menstrual flow for 12 hours. It’s non-toxic hypo-allergenic, medical grade Silicone, and completely safe to use for any age. Its unique design and material allows Softcup to fit to every women’s individual shape once inserted and warmed by her body temperature, one size fits most. Softcup has been met with widespread popularity due to its safety, longer wear-time and comfort. With Softcup women can still be romantic and sexy allowing her to wear it during intercourse for clean sex during that dreaded “time of the month.” Believed to be South Africa’s most comfortable Menstrual Cup.    

The Softcup can be utilized for up to three cycles, making it an inexpensive and ecofriendly menstrual option. The Softcup is an FDA-approved, reusable menstrual product made from non-absorbent, non-irritating material. “We are incredibly excited about women’s positive response to this unique menstrual maintenance method,” said Amanda Kouaiky. “If you visit our website, we have a store locator feature so you can find the closest carrier of this durable and inexpensive menstrual option. We will continue to expand the availability of this convenient product, and look forward to making your period experience as hassle-free as possible.” 

There has never been an incident of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) while using the Softcup, unlike traditional tampons. The Softcup does not alter the body’s pH levels, bacteria levels, or absorb the bodies moisture. The Maybe Mom Softcup was developed for the everyday woman, and continues to increase in popularity in South Africa. Being a woman… complicated? We think not! This resourceful product can now be obtained nationwide.For more information, or to find the nearest store carrying a Maybe Mom Softcup, visit: http://www.maybemomsa.com/.  

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