Every 14 minutes a woman dies from breast cancer and every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with the disease. Even though white women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than black women, black women are more likely to die of it – because of late diagnosis.
Every 14 minutes a woman dies from breast cancer and every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with the disease. Even though white women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than black women, black women are more likely to die of it – because of late diagnosis.
Cathy Braans of Cathy Braans PR, together with colleague Lindsay Vroom, have dedicated themselves to hosting annual breakfasts every October, to create awareness about the deadly disease which has taken so many lives. Sponsors donating lucky draw prizes for this year's Breast Cancer Awareness event included Drs Visser, Erasmus, Vawda and Partners, PG Glass, Carara, Claire Riley and La Trattoria.
More than 178 women, from all walks of life, were invited to breakfast in the Wyvern Club, at Kingswood College, with PE-based Dr Basson shedding some light on the disease and crushing the myths that cloud it.
The guest speaker at the Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast was former Miss South Africa (1987) and cancer survivor, Wilma van der Bijl, who eloquently outlined the trials, tribulations and triumphs of her battle with breast cancer. At times, some women were reduced to tears.
"I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42, with two little children of 5 and 6, after having lived a healthy lifestyle," Van der Bijl said.
"I was shocked to the bone," she told her audience. "I went through all the treatments and realised how fortunate I was to have had an early diagnosis.
"Today I am blessed with good health and a much more appreciative outlook on life. Do everything you can while you still can, because if you die in an accident you will never get the chance to do that."
After Van der Bijl had delivered her speech, Gregg Rippon auctioned two paintings donated by her, as well as a digital photo frame, donated by the Insight Store. The items went for between R2 000 and R2 500. The buyers were Daphne Timm, Tracy Sholto-Douglas and Sarah Leith.
Braans thanked everyone who had made the event possible, including Jill, from Spar, who donated the champagne, Sharon Bloem, for the pink ribbons, the doctors for the delicious breakfast and the buyers of the auction items.
"All proceeds will be donated to the Grahamstown Hospice," said Braans.
