FebMar 2023: The power of belonging

Having done around the world in two days, sourcing funding for equitable care for breast cancer patients who have no or limited funding available, I spent much time working on planes with a good movie in the background. I’m partial to a good action movie; always humour and absolutely a happy ending. This is why I looked at how oncology treatment has advanced from bombing to super spy drugs in Cancer espionage from bombs to spies. 

Our Buddies mag is always filled with fun, facts, and inspirational stories. As Forrest Gump said, “My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” From our Super Survivors who show us that “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are…it is our choices.” – Dumbledore, (Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets), to our regular contributors helping us achieve fitness goals and understanding why there is power in belonging and being part of a loving friendship team. I love the quote, “The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

My resolution this year comes from the words of William Arthur Ward, “Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.” What’s yours?

Your Buddie For Life
Prof Carol-Ann Benn

Photo by Antoinette van Staden Photography | Follow on Facebook & Instagram

Make-up by Alice Mosololi #FaceBeat

Skirt by Stylish Stitches

SUPER SURVIVOR

Nkhutliseng Nyirongo – The fragrance of positivity

ON THE CHEMO COUCH

Nadia Booysen – It’s okay, it’s alright

TREATMENT

Cancer espionage from bombs to spies

LIFESTYLE

Fabulous fibre

Posture and confidence during a time of illness

Nia – more than a workout

AWARENESS

My pink angels

Kat McClure – My best team

Managing your social life during treatment

BHF News FebMar 2023

Facing cancer when you’re on your own

Mind the trap

ADVERTORIAL

The importance of sound nutrition after a cancer diagnosis

Dietitian, Berna Harmse, educates us on nutritional status and the outcome of cancer, and offers tips for nausea. Read more here.


Welcome to the first issue for 2023; the theme being The power of belonging. We couldn’t have asked for a better Cancer Warrior to start the year off than that of metastatic kidney cancer warrior, Riaan Baatjies; some stories touch you in a deeper way, especially when courage and awareness outweighs the obstacle. Read his story, I belong here and now.



Word For Word Media are pleased to present The 2023 Big C Survivor’s Guide, with the focus being the top five cancers
in South African women and men
. We have also included the top five cancers affecting children. To all the survivors, our hope is that this booklet will assist in your journey, no matter how big or small, as long as you know you are not alone; we are here for you, we are oncology buddies.