As part of a national collection drive across all 50 Mediclinic Southern African hospitals, Mediclinic Vergelegen has already gathered around 120 bras for NPO ILoveBoobies.
The campaign asks community members to donate new or gently-used bras in good condition. Each garment is inspected and individually packaged before being distributed during ILoveBoobies’ community screening drives to women who may not be able to afford their own.
Hospital general manager Marquin Crotz said the response from staff and doctors’ rooms had been encouraging. “This cause speaks to the facility’s broader breast-cancer awareness goals.”
Crotz emphasised that early screening and detection can lead to a better prognosis, improves survival rates and less severe treatment. “For community members we welcome any donations you may have towards this worthy cause said. Mediclinic Vergelegen will continue to have a box for bra donations until the end of October. Please continue to support the initiative.”
ILoveBoobies is a South African NPO dedicated to improving early breast cancer detection by taking free breast health education, clinical screenings and access to diagnostic care directly into underserved communities. Its mobile screening programme removes many of the financial, geographic and social barriers that prevent women from accessing critical breast healthcare. Women requiring further investigation are supported through the referral process for mammograms and diagnosis, and into the state healthcare system when treatment is needed.
Dr Dewald Coolen, a general surgeon, advised that women should start having mammograms at age 40, ideally every year or at least every two to three years, based on guidelines from the Cancer Association of South Africaand the Radiological Society of South Africa. The risk of breast cancer increases especially after 40, although women at high risk may develop it earlier. Some countries recommend routine mammograms until age 74, but Coolen advises doing so for as long as they are able and lengthen life expectancy.
- The donation box remains at Mediclinic Vergelegen until the end of October, giving Helderberg residents just under two months to contribute to the cause.
