The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) will launch a free online cancer support group. The first meeting is on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at 19:00.
The group is open to cancer patients, their families and their caregivers. SADAG said many of them often feel alone after a diagnosis.
“Through this Support Group, I want people living with cancer, as well as their families and caregivers, to know that they are not alone,” said Jonomine, the group’s leader.
“Connecting with others who understand what you are going through can offer emotional support, encouragement, and hope,” Jonomine said.
According to SADAG, the group will be a safe space where people can share, listen and learn. Members will not be pushed to say more than they feel comfortable sharing.
SADAG said a cancer diagnosis brings physical problems as well as a heavy emotional load. Fear, worry and sadness can strain relationships and upset daily life. This affects both patients and the people close to them, the group said.
Dr Louisa Albertyn, a general practitioner involved in the project, said talking to others can help. “There are so many uncertainties throughout the cancer journey, and it helps to speak to people who have walked this road themselves,” she said.
“Cancer affects the whole family, and having people who understand what you are going through can make a real difference,” Albertyn said.
SADAG said members will be able to talk about their own experiences and share ways of coping. They can also find comfort in meeting others who face the same problems.
Because the meetings will take place online, people from across South Africa can join from home. SADAG said this removes the problem of distance, which often keeps people from getting support.
After the first meeting on 28 October, the group will meet on the last Wednesday of every month. People who want to join can call Jonomine on 064 904 9551 for more information.
SADAG urged anyone affected by cancer to look after their mental health. Its Mental Health Helpline can be reached on 0800 21 22 23. More information on support groups is available at www.sadag.org.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Cape Town ETC. Image: Cape Town ETC. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.