Reach for Recovery on World Cancer Day 2025: United by Unique

Stephné Jacobs catches up with Kaycee ahead of World Cancer Day.

On February 4th, we join the global community in marking World Cancer Day under this year’s theme, “United by Unique.” This poignant message reminds us that while every cancer journey is different, we are united in a common goal: to reduce the cancer burden, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for all those affected. At Reach for Recovery (RFR), we fully embrace this theme, reaffirming our commitment to providing personalised, patient-centred care for those navigating breast cancer.

(We would also like to use this opportunity to appeal to breast cancer survivors in Algoa Country to volunteer and join Reach for Recovery in Gqeberha so that we can get this support branch up and running.)

For 57 years, RFR has been a beacon of compassionate support for individuals affected by breast cancer. Through our dedicated volunteers, we offer not only a listening ear but also a sense of hope and empowerment, recognising that every individual’s experience is unique. Every conversation we have is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

This World Cancer Day, we are excited to take our commitment further with the launch of Survivor Storytelling Workshops. These workshops provide breast cancer survivors with a platform to share their journeys, creating a space where others can see their own experiences reflected, validated, and understood. By honouring each survivor’s story, we foster a sense of connection and solidarity, proving that when we share our stories, we grow stronger together.

In line with this, we continue to support our volunteers in sharing the diverse stories within the breast cancer community, highlighting the importance of individualised care. We are also expanding our peer support programmes to ensure that every patient receives the compassionate care they need.

At RFR, we recognise that breast cancer patients come from diverse backgrounds, and so do the volunteers who support them. That’s why we are committed to recruiting volunteers from a wide range of ages, cultures, and languages, ensuring the support we offer reflects the varied needs of our patient population. To ensure that our volunteers are equipped to provide the best care, we will continue to hold culturally relevant educational events, giving them the tools and knowledge to connect meaningfully with the patients they support.

Moreover, we understand that accessible, ongoing training is crucial. To this end, we are expanding our reach by offering online training resources—ensuring that volunteers, regardless of their location, have access to the unique peer support training that empowers them to make a lasting impact. With this expanded access, volunteers from all corners of the country and beyond will have the opportunity to learn how to support breast cancer patients in ways that truly reflect their individual needs.

Well-being is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to offering a range of wellness initiatives for both volunteers and survivors, including nutrition and fitness classes, stress management workshops, and self-care sessions. Our online programmes and expert-led public gatherings provide valuable opportunities for ongoing learning and care.

Looking ahead, we are strengthening our advocacy efforts, working alongside the Cancer Alliance to ensure that the needs of breast cancer patients are addressed in health policy discussions. This October, we aim to host 300 community events during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, surpassing previous records, and ensuring that our message of awareness and education reaches even more people.

At Reach for Recovery, we believe that effective support comes from continuous reflection, learning, and adaptation. That’s why we will provide our volunteers with regular opportunities to assess how well we are meeting the unique needs of each patient, ensuring we remain responsive and always improving.

On this World Cancer Day, we are proud to stand with those affected by breast cancer. Our mission is clear: to ensure that every journey is recognised, celebrated, and supported. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those facing breast cancer.