A breast-cancer support group has found a new home, and it is still based in Mowbray.
The Cape Peninsula branch of Reach for Recovery had to move out of its old premises in June. It has since moved into the Jaggers Bowls Club in Mowbray, paying half the usual rent.
The group, which meets monthly, had needed a suitable space for its Ditto Project, which raises money for external silicone breast prostheses that are fitted and provided free of charge to state patients who have had mastectomies.
More than 6 500 women have been assisted since the project was launched in 2011.
Dr Justus Apffelstaedt, a supporter of the Ditto Project and a specialist surgeon, helped to highlight the group’s plight.
Branch chairwoman Carla Lind said they had had help with painting and tiling work at the new premises.
Icon Oncology, a health-care company, had also offered to help pay their rent, she said.
“They offered to assist us which was an unexpected gift that we cannot thank them enough for.”
Icon Oncology CEO Anthony Pedersen said: “We know how important the Ditto Project is to so many women by giving them back their confidence after having to go through the ordeal of a mastectomy.”
Ms Lind said they had been advised by medical experts that it was still not safe for their volunteers – who are all breast-cancer survivors and thus vulnerable to Covid-19 – to resume visiting patients and fitting them with the prostheses.
“Our board of management consults constantly with these medical experts, and as soon as they give us the green light, we will be resuming our services in our brand-new premises,” she said.
