We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Patient Affairs Board Chairman for KZN. Welcome aboard Mike Mina from Durbs! Mike has a wealth of experience in the advertising industry. With over 40 years in various roles as a creative we look forward to his valuable contributions. Mike joins Dr Mike Nicholls who is our Medical Chairman for KZN.
When screening tests such as a PSA blood test and/or a digital rectal examination reveal that prostate cancer is a possibility, an MRI is helpful, but the diagnosis will be made by performing an ultrasound guided biopsy. Unfortunately the expertise & equipment to perform ultrasound guided prostate biopsies just doesn’t exist in most rural areas which is probably why most men in these areas present with prostate cancer when it has already spread (metastatic prostate cancer). At this point, prostate cancer cannot be cured, which is why we at the Prostate Cancer Foundation believe that something needs to be changed.
Making prostate cancer biopsies available in rural areas is no mean feat. It requires cooperation between teaching hospitals who can provide the expertise, the private sector who can help by donating some of the equipment and a doctor with a passion for improving men’s health in South Africa. All of these came together during November 2019 when Siemens donated an ultrasound machine to us. The Dr with the passion for men’s health is Dr Riana Bornman who is also an avid researcher. The Head of Urology at Sefako Makgatho, Prof Shingai Mutambirwa is helping with the expertise.
Hopefully this will be the start of many more partnerships that can help with the early detection of prostate cancer in rural areas. We need to improve the stage at which we diagnose prostate cancer in South Africa to prevent men from suffering and dying unnecessarily.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation’s 2019 AGM was held on 25th May. Attendees “suited up” for the occasion and of course to promote awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s annual Suit Up September campaign.
From Left to Right: Gillian Whittal – Chairman of the Marketing & Strategic Planning Board, Iain Johnston – Chairman of the Patient Affairs Board, Dr Evelyn Moshokoa – Member of The Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, Dr Lance Coetzee – Chairman, Estie Beukes – Vice Chairman, Prof Shingai Mutambirwa – Chairman of the Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, Dr Georges de Muelenaere – Vice Chairman of The Medical & Scientific Advisory Board and Andrew Oberholzer – Chief Executive Officer
Invitation for Applications for the Position of Patient Affairs Chairman Prostate Cancer Foundation: Free State
This is a non-remunerated volunteer position.
If you’re a prostate cancer survivor or you’ve supported someone who has/d prostate cancer and you have a passion to make a difference in the lives of those affected by the disease, then read on.
If you’re one of those individuals who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved in order to make a difference, then consider applying for the position. You need to be a team player, as you’ll be working together with our branch medical chairman.
Some useful characteristics, abilities and personality traits:You definitely have a passion for men’s health.You’re able to get on with people and work with them even when you don’t always agree with them. You’re a networker, so if you can’t do something yourself, you know just the right person who can, and you’ll persuade then to do it for free.You’re able to see the bigger picture and put your ego aside when necessary in order to get the job done. You have integrity and even if you’re crazy busy you still honour your commitments.
Still Interested?
Please send your CV to our CEO: e-mail: ceo@prostate-ca.co.za Got questions? – call (Andrew) on 083 6160162
Thulani Sibisi, winner of the 1986 Two Oceans Marathon and a prostate cancer survivor is passionate about raising awareness for prostate cancer. Despite the difficulties caused by the treatment he received for his prostate cancer, he completed his last Soweto marathon in 2016. As a founding member of this marathon it is particularly close to his heart and he wanted to do one more race to show men that despite prostate cancer they can and should continue to stay active. The Soweto Marathon has been a great supporter of The Prostate Cancer Foundation and we are at the registration Expo every year. Visit our stand if you’re participating.
If your life has been affected by prostate cancer you may wish to get involved in some way in order to make a difference in the lives of others who have been affected. Our patient affairs division provides the opportunity for prostate cancer survivors and their families to join in and help. We need volunteers to assist with fundraising, to help create awareness and to support others who have been affected by prostate cancer. Contact Iain Johnston at patientaffairs@prostate-ca.co.za and help to make a difference.
Iain Johnston business entrepreneur & Thulani Sibisi winner of the 1986 Two Oceans Marathon head up our patient affairs board. They are both prostate cancer survivors and they both have a passion for educating men about prostate cancer, but they can’t do it alone. 2019 saw the addition of two new provincial patient affairs board heads, Paddy O’brien in The Western Cape and Mike Mina in KZN (far R). These men need all the help that they can get and we still need to establish branches in other provinces, so if you’re a prostate cancer survivor and you want to get involved then give us a shout and help us make a difference.
Help the Prostate Cancer Foundation to achieve it’s goal of reducing the impact of prostate cancer by assisting us with the funding for the following projects:
Television advertisement – R 100 000.00
Print advertisement – R 25 000.00
Prostate self examination model for training of healthcare professionals – R 25 000.00
11 brave souls rode for 3 days through the Swartland winelands in order to create awareness around prostate cancer and to raise funds.
Day 1 began in Wellington with a spectacular ride through the farmlands surrounding Diemersfontein Wine Estate. After the initial 5km warm-up the cyclists settled in for a long 70km haul to Riebeek Kasteel. A good few riders were adjusting to their cleats and bailed. Fortunately there were no serious injuries. Aki Anastasiou from radio 702 was not able to provide en-route traffic reports but fortunately it was predominantly tractors and sheep that caused the odd snarl-up. Our Daytrippers guide, Steve, ensured that there were no stragglers left behind. On reaching Riebeek Kasteel West ,PCF’s CEO Andrew Oberholzer collpased in exhaustion in the town square and refused to proceed without first enjoying liquid refreshment. Everyone welcomed the opportunity to down a cold beer before riding the last 5km stretch to the hotel for the overnight stay. Good food, fine wine and soft beds were appreciated by all.
Day 2 proved to be the easiest ride – a fairly gentle 60km ride to Tulbagh which was completetd by lunch time. Some of the more energetic cyclists felt cheated and our friendly Daytrippers guide, Steve, agreed to take them on an extra single track excursion in the forests. The 10km uphill proved to be very taxing but this was followed by a wild 10km downhill on single track. The result was a good few spectacular bails. Chrisian Rodseth, Marketing and Sales Director at Janssen, proved to be the most adept at high flying. Astoundingly there were no serious injuries. The remaining more ‘genteel’ riders chose to engage in a more culturally oriented afternoon activity – Dr Lance Coetzee and his wife, Lilla, Prof Shingai Mutambirwa PCF director, Jorika Marx and PCF CEO, Andrew Oberholzer, enjoyed wine tasting at the Saronsberg and Tweejonggezellen Estates. After a rowdy dinner the group retired early in preparation for the final day.
Day 3 began with cool, misty weather and a sombre breakfast mood. The entrepid Bainskloof Mountain Pass lay ahead and only the young and fearless felt no anxiety. After a beautiful start through off-the-beaten-track farmlands, the riders emerged at a welcome water point just before the start of the infamous 15km long Bainskloof Pass. 17 year old Wade Oberholzer and equally young-at-heart Sean Searle (from Janssen) shot up the pass effortlessly. Dr Lance Coetzee and Christian Rodseth helped Andrew Oberholzer by allowing him to slipstream all the way up…..and even waited patiently halfway up for Andrew to catch his breath. Dean Fossett (the robotics whizz from Earth Medical) and Shingai followed closely in their tracks. The stragglers arrived shortly afterwards. After the summit came the exhilirating downhill through Wellington to the end point at Diemersfontein Wine Estate.
Every year 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer — and more than 10,000 die from it. Treatment can cause anxiety and side-effects such as impotence and incontinence. Many ask: what would the experts do in my shoes? In a remarkable coincidence, three of the UK’s leading experts reveal that they, too, have the cancer and they talk about their experiences . . .
Read more by clicking here
Prof Roger Kirby one of the experts affected by prostate cancer, seen here with Prostate Cancer Foundation’s CEO Andrew Oberholzer at Paul Cluwer wine estate on a visit to South Africa in March 2014 for a charity cycle tour. Prof Kirby has been a good friend to Prostate Cancer Foundation South Africa.
