Reach for Recovery

Welcome to Reach for Recovery We aim to provide practical and emotional support to breast cancer patients and their families throughout South Africa. When you replace the “I” with “We” even Illness becomes Wellness A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. We support all breast cancer patients – including men! RFR volunteers visit men and women in hospitals and clinics before or after surgery to help guide them on their journey to recovery. We also strive to support patients in state care who live in under-resourced communities and who do not have easy access to information or support around breast cancer. Our work is intended to enable breast cancer patients to make relevant personal decisions and to find the motivation to recover from cancer with an optimal quality of life. Our community of peer-to-peer volunteers are all breast cancer survivors. They understand what you’re going through, and have undergone specialised training to support you on your journey. We also have male volunteers in our team and encourage male breast cancer survivors to get involved. Practical SUPPORT SERVICES We provide patients in hospitals with: - Support booklet that covers various topics relevant to your health journey - Soft prosthesis (a temporary breast form) - Cushion for post-operative underarm comfort - Special bag to contain the patient’s post-operative port-au-vac drain. ? ? All soft prostheses, cushions, and bags are sewn by our volunteers. We help women from low-income groups to feel confident again after surgery. Many breast cancer patients in South Africa cannot afford a bra, let alone a breast prosthesis. Reach for Recovery supplies state patients across South Africa with high-quality silicone prostheses. This landmark programme is largely funded by the South African Mushroom Farmers’ Association (SAMFA). We are proud to help thousands of women in South Africa with breast cancer support. Each year, we strive to welcome new volunteers into the RFR “garden of care.”