CANSA Brings Hope and Support to the Waterberg Community

By CANSA

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is proud to highlight its growing presence and dedicated support services in the Waterberg region of Limpopo and the surrounding North West Province, through the CANSA Waterberg Virtual Care Centre.

This modern and community-focused initiative enables CANSA to provide essential care remotely, with employees and volunteers working from home-based settings. It ensures that even in rural or hard-to-reach areas, people affected by cancer can access the support they need. Integral to these efforts in the region is Lucinda Watermeyer, CANSA’s passionate and driven Sustainability Coordinator. Based in Modimolle, Lucinda works remotely to coordinate fundraising, community engagement, and raise awareness of essential care and support services in the region.

Lucinda plays a key role in organising and running impactful fundraising events such as Cuppa For CANSA, CANSA Shavathon, CANSA Relay For Life, and various smaller regional activities. These events not only raise crucial funds but also strengthen community involvement and awareness around cancer risk reduction and support.

Beyond fundraising, Lucinda’s commitment to the community shines through in her hands-on support for patients, caregivers, and families. Lucinda facilitates access to services such as delivery and collection of hired medical equipment and referrals to CANSA’s Service Coordinator based in Pretoria, Cisca Loggenberg, and registered nurse in the Waterberg area, Sister Wilna van der Heever, for clinic care which includes early detection through cancer education and screening for breast, prostate, and skin cancer, home visits, support group facilitation and counselling services, wig provision for patients undergoing treatment as well as breast protheses.

The CANSA Waterberg Virtual Care Centre not only offers critical cancer care and support services but also provides the community with comprehensive access to cancer-related information and practical assistance.

“Individuals and caregivers can easily find extensive resources on cancer risk reduction, early detection, treatment options, and specialised care, including stoma products and advice and products such as breast prostheses and wigs on CANSA’s website. And our Help Desk facilitates access to CANSA’s Tele and Virtual Counselling services in multiple languages, ensuring emotional and psychological support is available regardless of where you live,” says Watermeyer.

CANSA’s advocacy efforts further strengthen community health by promoting cancer awareness, cancer policy improvements, and CANSA’s research that drive better care standards nationwide. These initiatives empower the Waterberg community with knowledge, dignity, and hope for patients throughout their lived experience with cancer, reinforcing CANSA’s commitment to accessible, patient-centred care even in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

In the last year alone, CANSA’s impact in the Waterberg region has been substantial:

• 434 childhood cancer patients and their parents received emotional and material support through CANSA’s Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) programme at Pietersburg Hospital.

• 12 parents of childhood cancer patients from Limpopo were accommodated at the CANSA TLC Nicus Lodge in Pretoria while their children received treatment.

• 39 patients from Limpopo stayed at the CANSA Tipuana Care Home in Pretoria during their treatment.

• 187 patients and family members received personal counselling services.

• 16 patients from Limpopo joined CANSA’s dedicated WhatsApp support groups, allowing them to connect with others facing similar experiences.

• 1 869 individuals were reached through 25 cancer awareness talks held in communities across the region.

Lucinda shares that increasing CANSA’s visibility in Waterberg remains a key priority. “It’s not just about fundraising,” she explains. “It’s about building partnerships, strengthening donor relationships, and most importantly, making sure that the community knows CANSA is here – to walk with them through every step of their cancer journey.”

Her home-based office at 76 Plein Street, Modimolle serves as a local CANSA hub for information, support, and merchandise collection. The public is welcome to visit – all Lucinda asks is that people call ahead or schedule an appointment, as she often travels to nearby towns to extend CANSA’s reach.

CANSA deeply values the support of the Waterberg and surrounding communities and looks forward to continuing to build meaningful partnerships that enable the organisation to serve even more people in need.

For screenings and care and support services, please contact Cisca Loggenberg – Tel: 073 129 6833. And for fundraising, volunteering or event participation, get in touch with Lucinda Watermeyer on 082 663 3529 and Email: lwatermeyer@cansa.org.za