26 Oct 2016

Batswana have been urged to assist Cancer Association of Botswana (CAB) .

Speaking in an interview, a cancer advocate, Ms Sharon Monyoro stated that CAB was a community based organisation supported by volunteers.

She pointed out that the Ministry of Health and Wellness was their mother institution, but the association offered free services for individuals and families affected by cancer.

She said the services offered by CAB were practical and tangible as they offered  those living with cancer an opportunity to live with dignity and improved emotional health.

Ms Monyoro stated that they needed volunteers from top governance level to a person who did not have anything to do with cancer to empower individuals touched by cancer.

She said compassionate and caring volunteers were needed to provide services, adding that “they may come to contribute their time just to show generosity.”

Ms Monyoro stated that CAB was established in 1998 stemming from a recognised need for practical support for those diagnosed with cancer.

She said as much as it might be surprising, they had never had sponsors, adding that the support they had came mostly from coin boxes in some chain stores.

“Can you believe we paid our phone bill for the month of September from coin box money?” she revealed.

Ms Monyoro pointed out that they were currently operating with volunteers of which she could not state the number, saying sometimes there were nurses, accountants, public relation officers who come around during their spare time.

She mentioned that the association needed support from the community as a whole, saying a small thing could make a huge difference to their hospitalised patients.

She mentioned that there was once a man who went about jogging every morning, but would just pass by to say a morning prayer with the hospitalised.

“Anyone could lend a helping hand, either brings fruits, vegetables, tea to augment the patients’ diet,” she stated.

She stated that a small thing like taking a patient for a drive around Gaborone, taking them to the Three Dikgosi monument, would make a huge difference, coming to play ball sports, cards with them and just offering time would do.

Ms Monyoro said CAB provided services ranging from awareness at first level, where they screen people for certain type of cancer, adding that the number one type of cancer that was common in Botswana was skin cancer, followed by cervical and lastly breast cancer.

Ms Monyoro said there are a number of cancers around in Botswana, adding that some included cancer of the throat and cancer in children to mention a few.
essed disappointment at people who gave up on cancer treatment, saying most patients gave up on the fight against cancer.

“There is remission to cancer, do not ever think you are dead already,” she stated.

Meanwhile, she also said the centre was a good way of healing as their strategy was to focus on main cancers patients, saying other organisations also play a role.

She mentioned that not all volunteers were from medical field, but they were motivated by passion to fight cancer and the main thing was to preach awareness of the defeatable monster.

She said cancer affect most people in the country and therefore they were ready to work with anyone, also highlighting that cancer did not choose whom to attack, for that reason the affected were welcome with their initiative and innovative views on how best to fight the scourge.

She called upon churches, colleagues, either at work or school, friends and the family to provide encouragement through counselling.

Meanwhile, Ms Monyoro also mentioned one of the upcoming Lavender walk which was started in 2013. ENDS