About Us

Breast cancer is a cause very close to my heart. My mother passed away from the disease at a relatively young age, robbing my children of their grandmother – she passed away before they were born. Her diagnosis and death, 19 years ago, were an extremely traumatic experience for us – a very close-knit family with two daughters, and left us all heartbroken.

Had we been better informed at the time regarding earlier diagnosis and the signs to look for, we might have been able to insist on alternative medical treatment (from what she was offered in the beginning) sooner. In her case, this might have saved her life, or at least added a few years to it. Critical years which might have resulted in her being able to meet her grandchildren. Since then, science has been on the side of women in fighting the disease.

Yet, even with better chances on survival than ever before, many women are still too “afraid” to do the responsible thing – namely those monthly self examinations and the necessary mammograms and/or sonars. “I don’t want to know” or “I know something might be wrong, but am too afraid to seek medical attention” are attitudes that still prevail.

The D2D Campaign (Duty to Detect) is aimed at encouraging women to “know their status”. Facing the disease might be the best chance of survival that a woman has in her fight against the disease.

So … who am I? I am a 45 year old woman, trying to make a difference. Trying to encourage women to take responsibility for their own lives. Trying to inform them of their duty towards themselves – and their loved ones – to make early detection of breast cancer a reality.

Please make that appointment … TODAY! And encourage your loved ones to do the same. That might be the biggest gift that you have ever given yourself or them.

Elmarie Botha