Journey of Hope breast cancer awareness ride

Journey of Hope BREAST RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

The Journey of Hope Breast Cancer Ride has a powerful calling to spread the message of hope across South Africa. This campaign brings with it a message of hope and encouragement in an upbeat, positive and unique manner though the courage and the drive of women, all breast cancer survivors, who traverse the country on motorcycles to refute the myths surrounding breast cancer.

The aim of the campaign is:

To create awareness for early detection, which is key to survival, and bring hope in a positive way. The ride is a demonstration of the sheer courage and determination of survivors donning their leathers and helmets, and taking to the road on their motorcycles to spread the message of hope and raise the awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.
To provide education on breast health, which includes self breast examination, hints on what is not normal, and myths around breast cancer.
To raise money to make a difference in the lives of women and men who lost a breast due to breast cancer and are in need of a mastectomy. Our partners in this project are provincial hospitals across South Africa, who identify the survivor in need of a tissue expander or prosthesis for a reconstruction procedure. Journey of Hope will make a financial contribution in this regard.
Journey of Hope will also continue receiving applications for the supplying of prostheses. In this case we will collaborate with Cansa, where applicants would be requested to choose the prosthesis of their choice from the nearest Cancer Association office.

Breast Health Foundation receives a donation from the Journey of Hope

At the recent Journey of Hope 2011 launch, The Breast Health Foundation received a donation of R10,000 from the Journey of Hope towards the work the Foundation is doing in communities with regards to breast health issues.

Dr Carol-Ann Benn, renowned breast cancer specialist, took receipt of the cheque and indicated that the money would be used specifically for ensuring good patient care at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg.

Beverley Sterley, interim Director for the Journey of Hope, indicated, "Reaching and providing support for breast cancer patients, especially to people in need, is very important to the Journey of Hope, and we support the wonderful work that is being done by Dr Benn." Breast cancer surgery such as a mastectomy, single or bilateral, is paid for by the state government hospitals, but reconstruction is not, leaving many women disfigured.

Benn indicated, "I am 100-percent behind any initiative that creates awareness of breast cancer," and added, "Eighty percent of women that present with breast cancer in this country present with breast cancer bigger than 5cm. Very often, people don't want to come forward for two reasons: fear and ignorance. People often think that breast cancer is something that is painful, but it grows as a non-painful, slow-growing mass that can affect any age, race and gender."

People frequently do not know where to go if they encounter breast health issues, and awareness goes hand in hand with access. This important message is one the Journey of Hope Survivors will take with them when they take to the road in October. They will liaison with Dr Benn regarding the needs of breast cancer patients across the country, asking questions such as: are there facilities in place? Are there doctors who can address the issues patients bring forward? Etc.

The Journey of Hope will take to the road on Honda motorcycles from 09-15 October 2011, creating awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and educating people about what they should do and where they should go if they present with breast health problems. This year also sees the first male breast cancer survivor to join the Journey of Hope Riders.

For more information about the Journey of Hope call 082 840 3633.

RECONSTRUCTIONS COMPLETED