The Deputy Minister supports the “Pinkdrive UCT and Groote Schuur research and outreach”
PinkDrive travels to the Northern Cape as part of the 21st Annual Northern Cape Colonoscopy outreach surveillance trip for Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town (UCT). PinkDrive, with the kind and generous financial assistance from the Bidvest group, will be providing free mammography and gynaecology services during this outreach as there are few facilities in this area that offer these services. The mammography unit provides wheelchair access for those who require it, fostering inclusion.
This is the second year that PinkDrive is involved with this research program. It is important to note it has been established from the current research, that there is a direct link genetically between colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer.
However, it is the first time that they will be providing the much needed mammography and pap-smear services, as well as Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening for men. A radiologist and breast surgeon provided by UCT will be travelling with the PinkDrive team and as such the mammography and pap smear reporting will immediately be done on site.
PinkDrive will in a short space of five days, be visiting small towns across the Northern Cape providing the much needed healthcare services to medically uninsured women and men from remote areas across this province. “As a non-profit company, we are always looking for opportunities to assist the medically uninsured and continue to help make a difference- and this year we are ever grateful to The Bidvest Group and The Bidvest Foundation who have provided the funding to make this possible. Everyone has the right to access to healthcare services and our mission is to ensure that no one is neglected,” said Noelene Kotschan, Founder and CEO of PinkDrive.
The Bidvest Group understands the importance of citizens having access to healthcare in order to ensure that early detection can save lives. “The Bidvest Foundation is pleased to support the critical healthcare services provide by PinkDrive to our communities in need” said Kevin Handelsman.
The Deputy Minister invites the media to the PinkDrive UCT and Groote Schuur Research and Outreach programme which will take place as follows:
Day 1: 31 August 2015
Venue: Upington Hospital
Day 2: 1 September 2015
Venue: Alexander Bay
Day 3: 2 an 3 September 2015
Venue: Garies
Day 4: 4 September 2015
Venue: Vredendal Hospital (The next closest hospital for breast health services in this province is approximately 800 km from Upington)
PinkDrive is grateful for being given the opportunity to assist and ensure that these communities also receive the services. PinkDrive will continue to spread the message and the importance that ‘early detection of cancer can save lives’.
As the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu always notes the services PinkDrive provides is for the benefit of those who are marginalised and are recipients of social assistance.
Media RSVP’s and Media inquiries may be directed to:
Noelene Kotschan
Cell: 083 460 6146
E-mail: noelene@pinkdrive.co.za
Bella Makapela
Tel: 011 998 8022
Cell: 073 466 4557
E-mail: pr@pinkdrive.co.za
Emilie Olifant
Cell: 083 985 9091
E-mail: emilieo@dsd.gov.za
About PinkDrive
PinkDrive, South Africa’s best-loved Breast Cancer Community Carer, is the indispensable, tangible breast cancer Non-Profit Company (NPC), powering South Africa’s mobile Women’s Health Mammography and Gynaecology Units. PinkDrive’s underlying message is ‘Early Detection Saves Lives’. All PinkDrive units travel to semi-urban and urban areas around South Africa with the aim of enabling all disadvantaged communities access to women’s health services. These services include free education on women’s health, free mammograms, free pap smears, free clinical examinations and how to do breast self-examination.
For more information, please visit our website: www.pinkdrive.co.za
