ILoveBoobies, an NGO that offers free clinical breast cancer screenings to women with limited access to health care, has called on women to support each other by donating their gently worn bras to women in need. The initiative falls under its awareness campaign, 'Collect a Bra'.
One in 27 South African women are at risk of breast cancer. This is an alarming statistic but, fortunately — with early detection and advanced treatment options now available — more women are surviving this disease, says the organisation.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a time to ramp up awareness and support women by encouraging and educating them about self-examination, annual clinical breast exams and mammograms, says ILoveBoobies.
The 'Collect a Bra' campaign, which was launched in 2023, was a resounding success. According to Phillippa Brinkman of ILoveBoobies, the response was overwhelming.
"As it was the first year of collecting gently-used or unwanted bras, we had no idea what to expect and, to be honest, we didn't keep a tally of all the bras we received. All I know is that the collection boxes lined the walls of our offices as we organised and sorted them. We estimate we received in excess of 2 000 bras and are delighted to say that we have been able since then to donate a bra to every woman screened by ILoveBoobies in the Western Cape," says Brinkman.
As an official mammography partner of ILoveBoobies, SCP Radiology installed bra collection boxes at all its mammography departments and encouraged patients, friends and fellow Capetonians, to donate bras of all styles and shapes, says the NGO.
"Once again this year, we have collection boxes at nine of our branches and will be collecting bras until the end of October," says Madelein de Wet, clinical operations manager of SCP.
SCP Radiology also assists patients, referred by ILoveBoobies, for either a mammogram or ultrasound. "We have provided imaging for women on an ongoing basis throughout the year and have also seen patients for six-month follow-up ultrasound scans," says de Wet. "We're thrilled to be a partner with ILoveBoobies and to be able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women who are not able to access quality healthcare easily."
ILoveBoobies concludes that it has additional bra collection points available.
For more information, visit www.iloveboobies.org.za. You can also follow ILoveBoobies on Facebook or on Instagram.
*Image courtesy of contributor