By Kaedon Frans van den Berg
Check Know Prevent is an NPO and NPC that aims to raise awareness about breast cancer. These bras, that they developed, include a step-by-step guide graphic printed on the inside to help with self-checks. Sourced by Check Know Prevent.
Check Know Prevent, a non-profit company (NPC) and organisation (NPO), spoke at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Aurora CSC (Commuter Student Community) on 11 March. The non-profit aims to raise awareness about both breast cancer and breast health.
The breast cancer awareness talk at Aurora was arranged by the CSC’s Head of Culture, Gizelle Classen, BA (Humanities), third year. Check Know Prevent created a safe space in which students could share their own experiences with and thoughts on breast cancer. “We are sometimes so unaware of the impact breast cancer has and can have,” said Classen.
The talk was highly engaging and provided insight into the seriousness surrounding breast health. “Attending the breast cancer awareness talk was such an eye opener. The world still has people who care and are constantly looking for ways to prevent breast cancer,” said Gracious Chigariro, BA (Social Work), first year.
Check Know Prevent held a community walk for Human Rights Day on 21 March in Lwandle, Cape Town, after which they conducted checks for breast cancer. Five of these checks needed referrals. These free-of-charge mammograms are done to give back to communities, particularly those who are underprivileged. These communities do not have access to the necessary information and resources required for educating themselves on breast health.
Aurora CSC’s mascot, Rory, also attended the talk with Check Know Prevent about breast cancer awareness and the importance of being informed on breast health and wellness. Sourced by Gracious Chigariro.
The NPC aims to uplift underprivileged communities and the youth that reside there. “Check Know Prevent is a South African non-profit organisation focusing on breast wellness and health education, and empowering young women and communities with life-saving knowledge,” said Jenny De Oliviera, Operations Director and Founder of Check Know Prevent.
Check Know Prevent focuses mainly on the youth, as this is the stage where the development of breast cancer, or any other hormonal cancer is most prevalent. Young women are taught by the NPC to conduct self-checks so that they can be aware of any abnormalities.
One of the main initiatives of Check Know Prevent is to raise awareness of breast cancer through their products. When engaging with underprivileged communities and schools, the NPC provides free bralettes to young females which offer comfort and support for their breasts. De Oliviera stated, “We fit them with our bralettes […] and that smile, at the end of the day, when they see themselves in the mirror […], no money in the world can replace that appreciation.”
These bralettes include a step-by-step guide graphic printed on the inside to help with self-checks. The bralettes have inspired a range of activewear which is available for the public to purchase.
The proceeds from their broader activewear range go to funding less fortunate communities. In addition to benefitting the youth through their initiatives, the construction of the bralettes and activewear create employment opportunities and skills development for the people that are responsible for making the products.
Check Know Prevent remains motivated to raise awareness about breast cancer and provide information to underprivileged communities. According to De Oliviera, this motivation is driven by the number of women seeking their help for reasons such as insufficient medical aid or limited access to appropriate healthcare services. The organisation forms relationships that continue to this day with the women that they are able to help.
