By Desire Wright | Human Resources Manager
None of the work we do for awareness and education on breast cancer, supporting patient journeys and connection to referral pathways that actually work, would be possible without the support of our GlobalGiving family. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!
Breast cancer patient treatment journey
When the human resource manager from a local mango and citrus farm contacted Hlokomela Women’s Clinic on 16 April 2026, she was at her wits’ end. She had just been informed of a worker in the farm’s pre-school who had been diagnosed with breast cancer many months ago without receiving help at the local and provincial state medical facilities where she sought care. By this time the 50-year-old *Helen Morabe* was in a poor state.
Sr Mankoana Motswi at Hlokomela Women’s Clinic immediately contacted the Breast Health Foundation to secure an appointment with Prof Carol Benn in Johannesburg. With funds raised by our GlobalGiving family – we were able to send Helen Morabe to see the professor on 11 May 2026.
Helen was referred to Rob Ferreira state hospital, close to her home, for chemotherapy. Her first treatment was done on 1 July 2026. We will keep you posted on her treatment journey!
*Helen Morabe is a pseudonymn to protect the patient's true identity.*
Wound care success at Hlokomela Clinic
Hlokomela Clinic is renowned for its successes in wound care. Whether it be infected bites from highly venomous sac spiders, burn wounds, knife wounds, abscesses – you name it – the Hlokomela nurses with Constance Ngobeni are not afraid of tackling even the most persistent wounds and caring for their patients until they have fully recovered. Patients regularly pass two or more clinics and a hospital to seek care at Hlokomela where they know they will be treated with dignity by experienced staff.
Breast cancer awareness training for community health workers
Getting the word out there is the first step in saving lives. On 27 and 29 May 2026 the Breast Health Foundation trained 54 Community Health Workers (or “Nompilos” meaning “Mothers of life”) and 4 HlokoMiere community volunteers on breast cancer awareness. The training was engaging, and attendees participated enthusiastically in no non sense, candid conversations about the realities of breast cancer. Since the training, these women have shared what they learnt with other volunteers. Clients who suspect that they have breast abnormalities are being encouraged and supported to seek medical attention early on.
International Nurses Day
Hlokomela Clinic celebrated International Nurses Day on 12 May 2026. Nurses were spoiled with food and drinks as well as a puffer jacket from Hoedspruit Rotary and thank you cards and posters from the Grade 4 and Gr 7 Mariepskop Primary School students.
Walk the Talk Challenge
On 24 April 2026 Hlokomela challenged healthcare workers from various disciplines in state and private facilities to lead by example and join Hlokomela staff to walk 17km from Hlokomela Blyde Clinic to Hlokomela Korongo Clinic in recognition of Health Awareness Month. The majority of Hlokomela staff participated and all but 2 finished the entire distance!
The walk was a great day out for staff and fellow healthcare workers alike and we hope to make it an annual event to raise awareness about healthy habits by setting the example to patients and beneficiaries.
Boost for mental health services at Hlokomela
Three additional staff members attended the first training module on Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) in March 2026. Once they have completed the second and final module in August 2026, they will be able to lead clients through this process. TRE is a great way to support not only breast cancer patients but all clients and beneficiaries to support their autonomic nervous system in an ongoing way.
TRE® is an innovative series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma. The exercises safely activate a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system. When this muscular shaking/vibrating mechanism is activated in a safe and controlled environment, the body is encouraged to return back to a state of balance.
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