Ann Steyn

President

Reach to Recovery International

Ann Steyn,  breast cancer survivor, is the recently appointed Reach To Recovery International (RRI) President. In a speech made at the 14th RRI Conference held in Stockholm in May 2007 Ann said that Reach to Recovery volunteers working with developing and disadvantaged communities were challenged to look at things differently “We need to look through their eyes and listen to their voices”.

As the National Coordinator of the South African RRI programme she became aware of the needs throughout Africa of not only offering support to breast cancer patients, but also education programmes about the disease. Educating women in all communities would help to reduce the prevalence of late stage presentation, and lead to an improvement in the quality of life of many women. As the RRI committee member responsible for Africa she has had the opportunity to address some of these problems.

With the help of a grant from the Susan G Komen for the Cure she has been able to train volunteers from 14 African countries . These volunteers have returned and are initiating the Reach to Recovery programme in their countries. These groups will both support breast cancer patients and their families, and also carry out breast cancer awareness campaigns. As their acceptance grows so will their role in the formation of a breast health policy, tailored for their particular country.

In May 2004 Ann attended the NBCCF’s Project Lead training in Madrid. Under her leadership Reach for Recovery South Africa initiated a meeting for all those interested in breast health. A Breast Cancer Coalition was formed and after qualitative research , much discussion and deliberation with a wide number of interested parties, a Breast Health Policy Statement was agreed and formulated. The next important stage is to secure its promulgation via the Department of Health. Ann’s wish is to see supportive care available for all breast cancer patients worldwide, with all patients having the right to available, affordable and accessible breast health treatment. She believes Reach to Recovery has an important role to play in achieving these goals.