Reach for Recovery is an international breast cancer support group. It is affiliated to the International Union Against Cancer (UICC). It is a non-medical programme designed to help women with breast cancer in their return to daily life.
In South Africa, Reach for Recovery (RFR) is an autonomous non-profit organisation run by volunteers since the late 1960’s. Reach for Recovery is a breast cancer support organisation with a unique focus on breast cancer support and one of the only organisations that provide a patient support service on a national basis. It is built on a simple yet universal principle: that of one woman who has experienced breast cancer herself giving freely of her time and experience to assist and support another woman with breast cancer. Well-selected and trained volunteers, who each have experienced the breast cancer journey, render an emotional care and practical support programme to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and their families. In some of the regions a prosthesis service is also provided and the focus is also on indigent women that cannot afford this service. This service is done at no charge to the patient and is available to all state patients who can present a hospital card. The organisation sustains itself through localised fundraising activities and some regular sponsorships that have been associated with RFR over a long period.