giving each other hope for survival. organization background reach for recovery ghana, is a...
TRANSCRIPT
Giving each other hope for survival
ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
Reach for Recovery Ghana, is a faith-based non-profit organization designed to provide a
network of support to breast cancer patients and survivors.
This is affiliated to Reach to Recovery international, headquartered in Geneva and the
International union against cancer.
Theresa Liza an American formed Reach to Recovery International. This was as a result of her
personal experience as a breast cancer survivor.
She realized that as a cancer patient, one needs someone to talk to in order to survive
psychologically.
I am Mrs. Gladys Boateng and a survivor for ten years. I was diagnosed with breast cancer
in1999 in Accra but had my surgery in South Africa.
The immense support and care I received from Reach for Recovery South Africa, inspired me to
follow the footsteps of Theresa Liza. So I co-founded Reach for Recovery Ghana with Dr. Clegg
Lamptey. This was to extend the same level of support to others who have suffered or are
suffering from breast cancer in Ghana.
The organization’s mission is to bring hope for survival to all who have been touched by breast
cancer by providing a source of information, strength, support and encouragement.
PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES FOR 2010
JanuaryDate: 17th Jan. 2010
Programme: Thanks giving serviceLocation: Action Chapel International
Hospital visitation twice in a week(Tuesdays and Fridays)
February Date: 20th Feb. 2010
Programme: monthly meetingTopic: Healthy Eating
Speaker: Mrs. Sandra Ayisi AddoIs about eating foods that would strength the cells
in the body to fight the cancer cells and also exercising regularly. It should not be vigorous
Hospital visitation twice in a week(Tuesdays and Fridays)
Activities: Activity: talk and Screening at Central Gospel Church International,
Ofankor (Reach for Recovery in collaboration with the Breast Clinic)
, Date: 13th Feb. 2010
Information Day at Aburi
Speakers: Doctors, nutritionist and a survivor
He spoke on “Understanding breast Cancer Diagnosis I” some of his topics were Basic Anatomy and Physiology of the Breast, What is breast Cancer?, Incidence and Risk Factors. He said breast cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of the cells in the breast . Not all lumps in the breast are cancerous . The cancerous ones are aggressive and develop rapidly. Some risk factors he said are gender, age, genetic, family history personal history and many others.
He spoke on “Understanding breast Cancer Diagnosis II”. He gave Reasons for late presentations to the hospitals. Some of which are1.Some patients after having their lumps removed, do not go for periodic checkups which later results in reoccurrence.2. some refuse to report early detection or symptoms to the hospitals.He also spoke on diagnosis and the various stages of the breast Cancer and finally he stressed that early detection saves lives.
He spoke on Treatment Modalities. He said the treatment of breastcancer involves a multidisciplinary team approach. Which he said helps the patients. Some of the specialists include the Pathologists,Surgeons, radiologists and etc. He also spoke on the types of surgery which are lumpectomy and mastectomy. He said the stage of the disease determines the kind of surgery to be performed. Other topics he treated include hormone treatment, Immunotherapy, Aromatize Inhibitors and prognosis.
Dr. Joel Yarney
Dr. J-N Clegg-Lamptey
Mr James Adjogatse
She spoke on “Treatment Modalities”. She emphasised on chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She said this usually depends on what the Pathologists say thus if the cancer is aggressive or not. She also said the cost of treatment sometimes informs the type of treatment. She said since the chemotherapy is a cycle, patients from distant places find it difficult to under go this treatment. She said radiation usually reduces the rate of reoccurrence of the cancer disease.
He spoke on “Complications of Treatment and their Management”. He said during the treatment, patients do go through certain side effects such as nausea, headache, lost of hair, diarrhoea, infertility and etc. He said these effects are treated and do not cause much problems. He also spoke on some other effects such as Numbness,Shoulder Stiffness,Lymphoedema,Hot Flushes and Vaginal Bleeding
He spoke on “Restoration of Body Image”. (1)Fixing a drip beneath the skin and injecting it until it reaches the desired size. (2) Another is the use of excess flesh found at the abdomen or buttock to create the breast.He also said though these breasts cannot be exactly as the original in terms of natural feeling and breast feeding, they give some relieve to the patients and hope.He also spoke on some few complications such as infections, Hemorrhage and scars keloid
Dr Verna Vanderpuye
Dr Martin Kyereh
Mr Albert Paintsil
Mrs. Angelina Wood is a breast cancer survivor and she spoke on “There is life after Breast Cancer” She encouraged the gathering that being diagnosed of breast cancer is not a death sentence and that some have survived for several years. She encouraged husbands to be supportive during and after the treatment since this would strengthen their wives and help in their healing process. She talked on engaging in activities that would help them feel happy .She also said affected women should help educate people about the disease.
She spoke about “Breast Cancer Support Groups”. She recalled her personal experience as a breast cancer patient and the help she received .She said this inspired her to also establish Reach for Recovery Ghana. She said Reach for Recovery Ghana has alsoshown its effectiveness by visiting/counseling hospital in-patients after breast cancer surgery and freely providing “Goody Bags” (consisting of prosthesis, a pillow, a squeezing ball, a 32 page patient’s guide and an exercise sheet) as well as organizing breast screening programs. Our mission is to bring hope for survival to all who have been touched by breast cancer.
She talked about “Healthy Lifestyle”. She talked on healthy eating and she said we should eat less sugar and salt. She encourage the gathering to eat foods that would strength the cells in the body to fight the cancer cells. She also said change of diet and behavior can strengthen the immune system which can help prevent reoccurrence of cancer. She encouraged them to take more green foods such as konkomere and other leaves. She also talked about regular exercise and said it should not be vigorous .
Mrs Angelina Wood
Mrs Sandra Ayisi-Addo
Mrs Gladys Boateng
March
Date: 20th March 2010Programme: monthly meetingTopic: Exercise after surgery
This is essential in the healing process. It should not be vigorous but consistent.
Speaker: Mrs. Anna Hughton
Hospital visitation twice in a week(Tuesdays and Fridays)
Activities: •Awareness programme (Sensitizing the public
on cervical and breast cancers)By: GHS in collaboration with the Coalition of
NGOs in CancerDr. Kofi Nyarko ,National Cancer Control Focal
Person, GHS.
•Talk and Screening atAchimota SDA Church (Reach for Recovery in
collaboration with The Breast Clinic)
April
Date: 17th April 2010Programme: Recreational trip
Akosombo/ AdaDue to the stress and worries the survivors go
through we organize fun trips where they get to socialize and have fun
Hospital visitation twice in a week(Tuesdays and Fridays)
Activity: Talk and Screening for the “Kayayo” at Tema Station (Reach for Recovery in collaboration
with Breast Clinic)
May
Date: 15th May 2010Programme: monthly meetingTopic: Breast cancer overview
Speaker: Dr. Clegg Lamptey
Hospital visitation twice in a week(Tuesdays and Fridays)
Activity: Book launch Title: Experiencing God’s Grace and Mercy
Date: 28th May 2010at: 10:00 am
By Mrs. Gifty Allotey a SurvivorThen Talk and Screening
At : 6.00pmLocation: Osu-Presby
(Reach for Recovery in collaboration with Breast Clinic )
Sewing of goody bags
June
Date: 19th Jun. 2010Programme: monthly meeting
Topic: Treatment of CancerSpeaker: Dr. Yarney/ Dr. Vanderpuje
Hospital visitation twice a week(Tuesdays and Fridays)
July
Date: 17th Jul. 2010Programme: monthly meeting
Topic: Emotional impact of Breast cancerAnd coping strategies
Speaker: Dr. Araba Sefa Dede
Hospital visitation twice a week(Tuesdays and Fridays)
Activity: Talk and Screening (Reach for Recovery in collaboration with the
Breast Clinic) Presby church
Larteh Akuapim
August
Date: 21st Aug. 2010Programme: monthly meeting
Topic: Interior decoration
Hospital visitation twice a week(Tuesdays and Fridays)
Activity: Information Dayat Ho
•Dr. Joel YarneyUnderstanding breast Cancer Diagnosis I
•Dr. Joe-Nat Clegg Lamptey Understanding breast Cancer Diagnosis II
•Mr. James AdjogasteTreatment Modalities
•Dr Verna VanderpuyeTreatment Modalities
Speakers and their topics
•Dr. Martin Kyereh•Complications of Treatment and their Management •Mr. Albert Painstil•Restoration of Body Image
•Mrs Angelina WoodThere is life after Breast Cancer
Mrs. Gladys BoatengBreast Cancer Support Groups
• Mrs. Sandra Ayisi AddoHealthy Lifestyle
September
Date: 18th Sept. 2010Programme: monthly meeting
Topic: Beauty therapyLook good, Feel better
F.C Beauty Clinic
Hospital visitation twice a week(Tuesdays and Fridays)
October
First week in October, Relay for life.By: Reach for Recovery in collaboration with African Cancer Organization in partnership
with American Cancer Society
Date: 16th Oct. 2010Programme: Pink October celebration.
TV and radio talk shows/ Joint walk with the Coalition of NGOs in cancer like IMPACT
(including Dr. Kofi Nyarko, National Cancer Control Focal Person, GHS)
Hospital visitation twice a week(Tuesdays and Fridays)
November
Date: 20th Nov. 2010Programme: Planning for next year and
sharing.The panel comprises of Survivors share their experiences as survivors. The gathering then
plans for the coming year.
Hospital visitation twice a week
(Tuesdays and Fridays)
December
Date: 18th Dec. 2010Programme: Christmas Party
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer brings a lot fear and anxiety so we organize end of year
party where the survivors socialize and have fun
I wish you all a blessed and a prosperous new year