The volunteer surgical teams of Project Flamingo, a breast cancer NGO in South Africa, did something extraordinary on Saturday 13 July. In a record attempt as part of their Mandela Day celebrations, they performed 35 surgeries on breast cancer patients in the Public Health sector in a single day. Their aim was 30, making this an unprecedented attempt in South Africa, despite the frequent challenges of a lack of resources facing the Public Health sector.
These surgeries were performed at two provinces: Groote Schuur, Tygerberg, George, Cecilia Makiwane, and Livingstone Hospitals. Teams comprised of volunteer surgeons, anaesthetists, specialists in training, medical students and patient support teams made up of Project Flamingo volunteers and former patients. The nursing staff and theater consumables were paid for by Project Flamingo.
“Our teams are simply the most incredible groups of human beings. I often don’t have the words to describe their resilience and compassion, ensuring breast cancer patients get the timely treatment they deserve.,” says Dr. Liana Roodt, Breast & Endocrine Surgeon & founder of Project Flamingo.
“They work at the coalface of this disease daily, often in challenging circumstances with a constant battle for adequate resources. And yet, despite the exhaustion of facing these challenges daily, they are willing to give the most precious gift of all - their time- to help us go the extra mile over weekends. This Saturday was truly unforgettable, and every team member made the world a kinder, lighter, and hopeful place.”
Breast Cancer in South Africa: A rising burden
Project Flamingo is rooted in the belief that breast cancer care is a basic human right. South Africa’s Public Health system simply cannot manage the patient load, which means that many patients are caught in unacceptably long waiting periods for adequate breast cancer treatment. Surviving breast cancer has a widespread effect on the households and communities in which these women are often the breadwinners, mothers, and primary caregivers.
As the most common cancer in the world (surpassing lung cancer), and the most diagnosed cancer among women in South Africa, one in eight women is at risk of being diagnosed globally in their lifetime according to the World Health Organization’s latest statistics. It is documented that over 9000 new cases are diagnosed annually in South Africa. And despite its prevalence, well over 50% of patients in the Public Health sector present with late-stage disease.
This reality combined with long waiting periods and a lack of infrastructure to cope with patient load nationally, significantly curbs the impact of efforts to provide equitable care. Resulting in unnecessary loss of life.
Project Flamingo has for the past 14 years met this challenge head-on with catch-up surgeries, compassionate patient support, and advocacy programs, and is doing so again.
Mandela Day – Stronger Together
Their campaign aimed to:
Reduce Waiting Times: By performing 35 surgeries in one day, we aim to help reduce the backlog of patients waiting for life-saving treatment.
Raise Awareness: Highlight the critical issue of breast cancer in South Africa and the importance of early detection and treatment.
Inspire Action: Encourage other organisations and stakeholders to take bold steps in improving cancer care across the country while also doing our bit by training the next generation of doctors in advocacy and cancer care through medical student involvement on the day.
14 Years of dedication and impact
Project Flamingo has been a beacon of hope for breast cancer patients in the Public Health Sector for 14 years. Their mission is to ensure timely, compassionate, and effective treatment for all, and their track record speaks to their unwavering commitment. Over the years, they have reduced waiting times, provided critical support, and advocated for better breast cancer care across the country. Over 1500 surgeries later, they are committed to ensuring patients get the care they deserve.