Join Liberty Medical Scheme in driving for breast cancer awareness and education this October
…. Instilling a caring culture – Through a series of fun-filled, cause-related golf events in aid of education and health, Liberty Medical Scheme (LMS) this year has once again clearly demonstrated that it cares, not only for its own members, but also for the well-being of the broader community.
Since 2010, LMS has been a proud supporter of, and partner in the Cloud9Golf and M-Net Cares ‘Drive for the Cause’ campaign, thus both further instilling a caring culture and contributing to two very worthy causes, namely the PinkDrive Breast Cancer Awareness and the M-Net Naledi Children’s Literacy Project. “At Liberty Medical Scheme our pledge is: ‘We care. For you.’ It is an honour to have this opportunity to play an even bigger part in caring for the greater South African community through the efforts of M-Net Cares and Cloud9Golf. We are truly proud to partner with these organisations which encourage and inspire positive change and make a difference,” says LMS Executive Principal Officer, Andrew Edwards.
“During October, cancer awareness gains considerable momentum when companies and organisations worldwide join the international health campaign organised by charities to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure,” Edwards points out.
“As cancer kills more than seven million people a year throughout the world – more than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined – and African countries, including South Africa, carry a large part of the burden – LMS is a committed partner of the PinkDrive effort to improve breast cancer awareness and education across South Africa and especially in remote communities that do not have access to information on breast health,” Edwards adds.
At the same time, LMS also ensures that members have peace of mind in terms of cancer screening and treatment. A number of LMS options include preventative oncology benefits such as annual mammograms, while the scheme’s new flagship option, Prestige, pays 100% of the scheme rate for approved treatment, with no limit.
Following two very successful years of ‘Driving for the Cause’, LMS, M-Net and Cloud9Golf, along with a host of other partners, launched the 2012 campaign on 13 March this year, with the hopes of again raising over R500 000 through a total of 23 golf days and events, and one national final on 16 November 2012 open to the public and corporates – totalling 24 events nationwide. This year alone and until end-August, R378 475 has already been raised for child literacy and breast cancer awareness.
The campaign launch was followed on 16 May 2012 by the first golf clinic under the banner of ‘Drive for a Cause’, when businessmen and women looking to facilitate business through golf participated in arguably the perfect team building and corporate entertainment tool for all levels, thanks to M-Net Cares, LMS and Cloud9Golf’s partners, thereby also assisting with raising funds for two worthy CSI initiatives.
Besides corporate golf days and clinics for businessmen and women, as part of the initiative, families can also participate and learn to master the art of golf in a fun and relaxing way.
The drive is not over yet. Says Edwards: “With the spotlight on breast cancer awareness this month, LMS is calling all corporates, social and family participants to show their support by joining in the fun, spreading the message and driving for the cause.” There are still a number of flagship and betterball events planned, as well as clinic days and the national final on the programme for October and November (see attached calendar of events for further details).
About Naledi Children’s Literacy Project and PinkDrive:
As education is a vital element for any society to thrive and develop and also to grow tomorrow’s leaders, the Naledi Children’s Literacy Project was chosen as the educational benefactor of ‘Drive for the Cause’. In 2010 and 2011, 1300 children from previously disadvantaged homes were taught to read and write and in 2012 sights have been set on helping 1500 children to learn to read and write, a core fundamental skill for any human being to acquire. In addition they have also included young learners with special learning needs by extending the programme to a school for the deaf in Eastern Cape. As part of the M-Net Naledi project, they have also embarked on revamping libraries in under-resourced schools.
The second chosen benefactor, the PinkDrive, aims to raise breast cancer awareness as one in every 26 women is diagnosed with breast cancer and early detection can save lives. Last year, the proceeds of the ‘Drive for the Cause’ Campaign enabled two Mobile Breast Cancer Units to visit rural areas and educate over 57 000 women on the importance of early detection. A total of 3 000 mammograms and 24 000 clinical breast examinations have been done to date, free of charge thanks to the funds that have been raised through this campaign.
