Reach for Recovery (R4R) is a trained and volunteer-driven breast cancer support group where every peer support member, uniquely, is a breast cancer survivor herself.
For the past five decades, Reach for Recovery has earned a strong reputation for providing highly valued and essential services to individuals affected by breast cancer. During this challenging period, our volunteers offer hope and support to women dealing with the disease. These volunteers are all breast cancer survivors who can provide practical and emotional support to women as they navigate the diagnosis, surgery and treatment process.
Additionally, they address the crucial issue of insufficient breast health information in many communities by educating women in various settings.
In 2014, this extraordinary group of women launched the Ditto Prosthesis Project with the sole aim of helping underprivileged women recover their self-confidence by providing them with high-quality silicone breast prostheses.
“We believe all women, regardless of their income group, deserve the same access to support services as anyone else when diagnosed with breast cancer,” explains R4R’s board chairperson, Stephné Jacobs. “No one can understand the personal, financial and family challenges these breast cancer survivors face unless they have walked a mile in their shoes. Our members understand that journey all too well – and through the Power of Pink fundraising campaign, we have the capacity to help reshape their lives.”
The Ditto Prosthesis Project is an essential part of the healing process for survivors in our country where it is a reality that many breast cancer patients in South Africa cannot even afford a bra, let alone a breast prosthesis. That is why R4R is so thankful for the annual financial support from the Power of Pink campaign. “It is the only way in which we can provide the personal treasure of a breast form to all who need one,” emphasises Jacobs.
R4R is extremely proud of the work it does as the Ditto Project. Says Jacobs, “We are so delighted that the silicone prostheses we hand out are specifically fitted and colour-matched to the individual: right down to comparable firmness with their remaining breast if needed. This process offers real dignity and a return of quality of life for our recipients.”
All R4R’s services are free of charge and, as R4R does not receive any state funding, it is completely reliant on the generosity of South Africans for financial support to ensure the sustainability of its services.
We therefore urge all South Africans to support this project by buying mushrooms in pink punnets from Pick n Pay during October. R1 from each punnet sold goes to Reach for Recovery’s Ditto Project.
If you would like to support R4R’s Ditto project, here are the banking details:
Reach for Recovery
Nedbank Pretoria North
Account number: 1597058718
Branch Code: 101240
For more information, email Stephanie van Deventer: nationalmanager@reach4recovery.org.za.