Old Mutual Property has announced that, in support of Living with Cancer SA, it will showcase the 'Your Cancer Counts' campaign at eight of its malls in May and June. The malls will become hubs for community-led cancer awareness, reflection and information sharing, in the build-up to National Cancer Survivors Day on Monday, 2 June.
Cavendish Square, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Phumulani Mall, Riverside Mall, The Zone @ Rosebank, Bedford Centre, Kagiso Mall and Vincent Park will each host events designed to get shoppers talking, sharing and showing support for cancer patients from Friday, 30 May to Monday, 2 June, says Old Mutual Property.
Even though the specific activations at each mall may differ, the key message remains the same: Your cancer counts, says the company.
Shoppers will be able to contribute by sharing the details of their own or their loved one's cancer struggles on the first South African patient-led cancer registry. Visitors will also get an opportunity to share their struggles with volunteers at the activation, commemorate loved ones, gain health insights, or simply lend their voice to the cause, says Old Mutual Property.
A Collective Effort, One Name at a Time
A symbolic ribbon statue will stand at the heart of each event, gradually being filled with balls in commemoration of survivors, and for those who have passed on, says the company. Visitors can personalise this act by writing the name of someone affected onto the balls before placing them into the structure. This installation will serve as a visual reminder of the impact cancer has on families across South Africa.
Location-dependent shoppers will have access to guidance by hospice professionals, dieticians, psychologists and grief counsellors. Healthcare professionals will be on hand to share information about early detection, symptoms and screening referrals, especially for common cancer types. A will-drafting service will also be available at selected malls to highlight the importance of planning for the future, says Old Mutual Property.
Information, Access and Real Support
A certain selection of the included malls will feature expert sessions led by professionals, offering insight on everything from nutrition during treatment to managing grief. Talks will be run in the morning and afternoon, with comfortable seating provided for attendees. Shoppers can follow their local mall's social media platforms or subscribe to newsletters to stay up to date with registration details. This information will also be available on the National Institute for Communicable Diseases' (NICD) social media pages, adds the company.
Michelle Shelley, Group Marketing Portfolio Manager at the Employee Benefit Management (EBM) for the Old Mutual Property portfolio, says, "Cancer is not just a health issue, it's a community issue. We're proud to support this initiative that brings practical resources, real conversations, and moments of solidarity for cancer patients to our malls. If our spaces can help someone feel seen, supported, or better informed, then we've done something worthwhile."
Taking Action Where it Counts
The 'Your Cancer Counts' project is an extension of Old Mutual Property's commitment to corporate social investment, in collaboration with Living with Cancer SA, the National Cancer Registry, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and Campaigning for Cancer. With the growing burden of cancer in South Africa, and National Cancer Survivors Day around the corner, the timing could not be more relevant, concludes Old Mutual Property.
For more information, visit www.livingwithcancer.co.za. You can also follow Living with Cancer SA on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.
*Image courtesy of contributor