Bras are pricey. Whether you’re an A cup or beyond, finding the right bra that offers great support, is comfortable and doesn’t break the bank — can seem impossible. Now imagine doing this after you’ve battled breast cancer and have to buy a mastectomy bra.
A good quality mastectomy bra costs over R1000 and prosthesis are an additional R2000. And when you have medical bills piling up, a bra this pricey might not be something you can afford. Recognising that many women can’t afford a mastectomy bra, Reach for Recovery, a support programme that supports more than 5 500 breast cancer patients, have partnered up with Roche to launch a breast cancer initiative, #GiveYourBraForBreastCancer.
What is a mastectomy bra?
A mastectomy bra is specially designed for women who have undergone a mastectomy or lumpectomy and can be worn with breast prostheses. Mastectomy bras are more than just bras with pockets, they need to be able to secure a prosthesis and be made from soft, quality material that won’t interfere with their scars and healing. Stephné Jacobs, chairperson of Reach for Recovery, says that having a good quality mastectomy bra is an everyday necessity for breast cancer survivors who choose to use a prosthesis.” [Mastectomy] bras help with the healing process and empower survivors to return to a normal lifestyle,” she adds.
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How you can help
This initiative encourages the public to donate their pre-loved bras to help breast cancer survivors. All proceeds will be donated to help survivors receive a prosthetic breast and bra. For every bra donated, Roche will donate R10 to the initiative.
With this campaign, Reach for Recovery will be able to help more survivors restore the natural appearance of the breast. “#GiveYourBraForBreastCancer is a unique, meaningful initiative to donate bras and in turn, give women who have had a mastectomy a special bra for free,” says Stephné.
You can drop off your pre-loved bras at the following hospitals and medical centres.
Durban
- Albert Luthuli hospital
- Pietermaritzburg
- Greys Hospital
Johannesburg
- Wits Oncology Donald Gordon medical centre — 17 Eton Road
- Sandton Oncology — 200 Rivonia Road
- Gauteng Oncology — Olivemed Buildimy — Nedcare Olivedale
- Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg — Dept of oncology and radiology — Orange Block Level 4 Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, Jubilee Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193
Pretoria
- 1 Military Hospital
- Kalafong Hospital
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Cape Town
- Vincent Pollotti
- Hermanus Oncology
- All CancerCare Oncology Centers (Panorama, Cape Gate, Rondebosch)
- Solway Oncology
- Mountainview Oncology (N1 City, Kuilsriver, Paarl)
- Melomed Tokai & Gatesville
- Tygerberg
- Military Hospital Wynberg
Limpopo
- Dr Tumelo Moyaba — 80 Burger Street Polokwane
Northwest
- ABJ Klerksdorp — Cnr Marmwe & Ametis street
