CPUT employees came in their numbers to participate in the recent Cancer Awareness Campaign at the Bellville Campus.

The campaign by the Human Capital: Lifestyle and Wellness Office, is dedicated to promoting early detection, education and support.

Employees had the opportunity to undergo clinical breast screenings or non-invasive prostate screenings.

A fun hair spraying activity added colour to the day.

Lifestyle and Wellness Specialist Joyce-Lyn Esterhuizen said staff at other campuses would also have an opportunity to participate in the campaign. The dates and venues are as follows:

• 6 October - Granger Bay campus (Outside of student centre) 9h30-14h30
• 17 October – District Six Campus (Atrium) 9h00-14h30
• 22 October - Mowbray Campus (Outside student centre) 9h30-14h30
• 24 October - Wellington Campus (Outside student centre) 10h00-14h00

“Your health matters, and early detection can make a life-changing difference,” she said.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Cancer survivors, caregivers, students and staff members from CPUT, Varsity College and False Bay College participated in the first-ever CANSA Relay for Life Collegiate event.

CPUT partnered with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) to host the all-night event at the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville campus on Friday.

The theme was Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.

CANSA Relay for Life is a global event that unites communities in the fight against cancer and about 6 000 such events are held worldwide annually.

The crowd were welcomed by comedian Stuart Taylor before cancer survivor Kauthar Roomaney shared her inspirational story.

“People often say you only live once but I like to say you only die once and live every day.”

The relay kicked off with a few laps around the hall by cancer survivors to loud cheers from the crowd.

This was followed by a caregiver's lap.CANSA’s Leillani Geduld said they were extremely pleased with the first CANSA Relay for Life Collegiate event.

“The atmosphere has been terrific. We thank everyone who participated, all our speakers, sponsors and MCs and CPUT for co-hosting with us. We look forward to more such events in future.”

CPUT Events Manager Cathy Cloete said the institution was proud to co-host the event.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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First-year Education students and their mentors on the Wellington Campus raised R4 000 which they donated to an organisation that raises funds for cancer patients.

The cheque was handed over to the Panthers Against Cancer recently at a ceremony in Paarl, and the donation was later made to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).

CANSA is a non-profit organisation, started in 1931 which was born out of compassion for people affected by cancer. They mobilise volunteers to offer health programmes and support communities across the country to ensure that cancer patients and their families are cared for.

Final year student and mentor Corne Conradie said they came up with the idea of fundraising in order to bring about unity among the students as they were working towards a common goal.

“It’s good that we are making what we learn in class a lived experience,” she said.

Lecturer Lu-Anne Kearns said the students’ philanthropic gesture gave her a sense of hope that the country is going to be a better place.

“We are producing teachers with compassion and empathy. I am enthralled by how they did it, this is how we change the country,” said Kearns.

Kearns commended the mentoring programme on her campus and said the mentors were crucial in facilitating for the settling of the first years as they give them support.

In September 2017 a new cohort of mentors was trained by the faculty and the programme for this year’s orientation week was also developed. Millicent Hendricks, who received the donation on behalf of CANSA thanked the students for giving generously to cancer patients

Written by Kwanele Butana
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CPUT Libraries recently hosted a series of events to raise awareness about breast cancer.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign during which various health and other structures raise awareness of the disease.

Staff and students were given the opportunity to learn about the importance of early detection, treatments and care available as well as services available on the various campuses via CPUT Health Clinics.

CPUT Libraries held awareness drives at Tygerberg Campus, Mowbray Campus, Wellington Campus, Granger Bay Campus, District Six Campus and Bellville Campus.

At the Bellville Campus event, the last in the series, attendees were welcomed by Senior Library Assistant, Ncumisa Njecana, whereafter, Barennise Arries, Lecturer in the Department of Nursing Science delivered a talk titled: Cancer journey of a loved one – my support.

Georgell van Wyk, Lecturer in the Department of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences, spoke about the barriers experienced by patients during mammography screening. A group of students from the Department of Nursing Science delivered a presentation, which included information on the causes of breast cancer.

Dr Bronwyn Swartz, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, shared her personal journey with breast cancer.

“I would promote that you go and get your regular check-ups. We can’t control our circumstances, the stuff that happens around us, but we can control going for our check-ups,” Swartz said.

During the awareness drive on the other campuses there were a series of activities including presentations from speakers who are breast cancer survivors.

CPUT Libraries thanked the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, CPUT Health Clinics and all participating departments for their support.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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