WOMEN IN ACTION

In the past few days, I have received comments and queries, many out of sheer curiosity, about our reasons for promoting these Cancer Awareness Workshops on a national level.

Does it not contradict our faith?

So I have invited our PR representative, Nametso Mofokeng, WiA member, to interview me in a very direct and frank manner. This is the outcome and it may be the answer to some questions you have in the back of your mind as well:

Nametso: People want to know “why”.

Marcia: Because the month of October is dedicated, throughout the world, to Breast Cancer Awareness and serves as an opportunity to focus on cervical and ovarian cancers that highly affect women. In RSA, incidence is growing higher and we attribute it to a lack of knowledge and awareness. Until now, cancer is looked at as a killing disease and it is indeed, if not detected in the early stages. For different reasons, South African women are reluctant to go to the doctors, either because they feel embarrassed, or because they believe they will deny their faith, or even because they believe it will bring bad luck and they will end up having such and such disease.

So, as women, we took a stand for our community, and we want to join hands and help to bring awareness, education and prevention methods. We also want, through this opportunity, to offer emotional and spiritual support to those who are enduring the treatment and battling cancer.

Nametso: How do you intend to deliver the message?

Marcia: There’s nothing better than to allow those who are experts in the matter to deliver their message. We have invited speakers from the Cancer Association to direct our workshops and bring facts, knowledge and prevention methods in a very simple, demystified manner so that we all, women, may learn from it. This is our program for the month:

17/10 – Cape Town cathedral – at 12 noon

24/10 – Durban cathedral – at 1pm

31/10 – Mamelodi cathedral – at 10am

07/11 – Soweto cathedral – at 10am

Nametso: But don’t you believe in miracles, healing? Do you accept Christians going to the doctors?

Marcia: Yes, I fully believe in miracles and healing but I also believe doctors play an important role and do not contradict my biblical belief. As proof of it, Luke – a disciple – was a physician (doctor of that age). I also stand firmly for prevention as the best treatment possible. When you have knowledge of facts, you know how to take care of your health and to prevent many diseases; your chances for a healthy future are increased. Other times, our body does not function up to its full standards and we do need a doctor’s advice on how to bring back the equilibrium. However, when human resources fail, prevention has failed, I myself can only count on the Doctor of all doctors to rescue me. When sources have reached their limit, God’s power will be in action.

Nametso: Any personal experience with cancer that led you to be an activist for the cause?

Marcia: Yes. It was a very personal experience; years ago I found a lump and had to rush to the hospital for an exam. I remember the doctor, a very sweet, young lady, who told me that she was 90% convinced I had breast cancer. And I lived under the emotional distress that many women go through, for 2 weeks, until biopsy and mammogram results proved otherwise. It was an atypical tissue formation that was misdiagnosed as breast cancer. I felt the pain of many women under this circumstance; but I also found the strength in my faith to overcome it and to keep going. I am aware that many women out there may not be as blessed with a misdiagnosis and they will have to deal with this disease, and I want to help them to live out of the same strength and faith that brought me through it and saved me. So, do I believe in miracles? For sure, I am one!

Nametso:Your final words

Marcia: I want to invite all female UCKG members and visitors to join one of our workshops. Remember: knowledge is power and it is available to you. Be supportive, talk about it, wear the pink ribbon or our pin.