CANSA Volunteer News

At CANSA, our volunteer programme is at the heart of everything we do. Our dedicated volunteers play a vital role in helping us carry out our mission, supporting individuals and families affected by cancer while extending our reach into communities across South Africa. From offering companionship to patients and facilitating support groups, to assisting at CANSA Care Centres, promoting health awareness, assisting at fundraising events, and contributing behind the scenes with admin, marketing and communication and virtual tasks — our volunteers bring compassion, hope, and practical support where it is needed most.

Celebrating Our Exceptional Volunteers

Mariette Loots Award Winners 2025

The Mariette Loots Cancer Winner Awards are sponsored annually by the Mariette Loots Cancer Trust. These awards honour and recognise the invaluable service and commitment of CANSA volunteers.

We proudly congratulate our 2025 Merit Award recipients:

Cornelia Martheze, Rudolph Scharneck, Daphne Kennedy, and Samantha Strauss from the Western Cape.

Thank you for your outstanding contribution to service delivery and for walking alongside those affected by cancer with such care and compassion.

Friends for Life Achievement Award

A heartfelt congratulations to Elizabeth Basson, recipient of the Friends for Life Achievement Award.

Elizabeth has mobilised her community in Bonnievale to support cancer patients through initiatives such as crocheting blankets and beanies, as well as creating a food trolley project to provide essential care parcels. Her passion for education has seen her establish cancer awareness campaigns in schools and community spaces, ensuring that vital health information reaches even the most underserved communities.

For over two decades, Elizabeth has embodied the true spirit of CANSA — compassion, creativity, and unwavering commitment. Her work continues to inspire hope and unity in the fight against cancer.

Staying Connected, Growing Together

Keeping Us Connected

We are currently working on a Data Clean-Up Project to ensure that all volunteers are accurately captured on CANSave, our database system. This will help us stay better connected, ensuring volunteers receive important updates, opportunities, and newsletters — keeping them informed and involved every step of the way.

Listening and Growing Together

Last quarter, we conducted our Volunteer Satisfaction Survey. The feedback received is incredibly valuable to us, and we are grateful for the insights shared. These will guide the development of improved strategies, guidelines, and policies to enhance the volunteer experience and strengthen our partnership.

Save the Date: CANSA Volunteer Day 2026

We are especially proud to share that CANSA celebrates 95 years of impact, service, and supporting those affected by cancer this year. The dedication of our volunteers has been a vital part of sustaining this legacy over the years.

As we honour this remarkable milestone, we are excited to share that planning is already underway for CANSA Volunteer Day 2026, taking place on Saturday, 25 July 2026 under the theme “Leading with love, serving with purpose.”

We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with our volunteers — a day dedicated to recognising their invaluable contribution and bringing the volunteer community together in gratitude and shared purpose.

A Fresh Look for Our Volunteers

We are in the process of updating our volunteer badges to new CANSA Volunteer buttons. These will make it easier to identify our volunteers in communities and will proudly represent the passion and purpose they bring to CANSA’s work.

Be Part of Something Meaningful

If you are passionate about making a difference in the fight against cancer, we invite you to become part of our volunteer community.

Together, we can continue to bring hope, support, and care to those who need it most — ensuring that no one faces cancer alone.

Did You Know?
Your donations enable free services, for example, CANSA Tele and Virtual counselling in most SA languages by trained counsellors, support groups (face-to-face; WhatsApp and FBK); guidance from our Clinical Nurses regarding coping with the side effects of cancer, cancer treatment, dietary tips, stoma care and pain management – enquire at info@cansa.org.za; our Advocacy department assists patients experiencing stock shortages, delays in screening and cancer treatment, and lack of access to appropriate pain management medications; transport to and from cancer treatment centres is provided to our cancer patients staying at CANSA Care Homes, who would otherwise live too far away to receive treatment. Children and teens with cancer and their parents / guardians stay at our CANSA TLC Lodges for free during treatment. Our two TLC wig banks for children / teens provide free wigs to those in need.