Journey of hope BREAST RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Hope never fades. That will always remain true. For Claire Hofmeester, a breast cancer patient who lost both her breast (but not her hope), a dream came true on Friday, 2 April when the first ever co-sponsored breast reconstruction operation in the country, was successfully completed on her at a local hospital, being sponsored by both a hospital and specialist doctors in cooperation with The Journey of Hope.

The Journey of Hope focuses on lives of breast cancer survivors. Last year October 18 breast cancer survivors hit the road on Harley Davidson motorcycles with the aim to create awareness of the importance of early detection and treatment of breast cancer and giving hope to other survivors. The group visited local communities and schools all over the country sharing their stories of hope.

This year 25 women will hit the road for the same purpose. Funds raised during the Journey of Hope 2008 and 2009 was reserved to assist woman in need of a mastectomy or prosthesis after breast cancer. The emphasis were on assisting women without medical aid and not being able to afford this procedure in order to feel whole again.

Because of the complexity of the project, involving medical, legal and psycho-social aspects, the process was complicated and lengthy. To qualify, the candidates had to be in remission for two years already. Serving on the selection panel are a social worker, Prof Justus Apffelsteadt representing a mama clinic and Prof Frank Graewe from the Stellenbosch University Medical Unit.

A total of 23 candidates applied during 2009. Unfortunately some of these applicants did not qualify in the sense that they do belong to a medical aid. The first five candidates have been identified and after physical examination Claire was one of these successful applicants.

Claire received her first mastectomy in 2000 and the second in 2004. Ever since she has purposefully set aside her womanhood and feeling whole ever again. Claire, very excitedly told the Mossel Bay Advertiser on Friday morning, just before being taken to theatre, that she received a prophecy that God is a God of a second chance. Mrs.

Frieda Henning, a founder member and Director of The Journey of Hope Friday partook in Claire’s joy and also speaking out her tremendous gratefulness towards the Bay View Private Hospital, and Drs Fouché (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon) who performed the operation on Claire, as well as Dr. Barret, local anesthetist. Mrs. Henning told the Mossel Bay Advertiser that due to the complexity of the Breast Reconstruction Project and the limited amount of women to whose lives they can make a difference, the Journey of Hope Board has decided to embark on a new project with funds to be raised during 2010. This project will focus more on preventative measures.

"We would like to assist women in local communities in need of a breast cancer screening." As soon as partnership with other organizations has been formed in this regard, the information will be available on this website.

Journey of Hope will also continue receiving applications for the supplying prosthesis. In this case they will collaborate with CANSA, where applicants would be able to choose the prosthesis of their choice from the nearest Cancer Association Office.

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