OUR WORK & PROGRAMS
At Project Flamingo, we believe that everyone deserves access to timely, compassionate & holistic care, regardless of their circumstances. Our programs are focused on the most vulnerable parts of the patient journey, and we work within the existing infrastructure of the Public Healthcare system.
Our goal is urgent and non negotiable: no patient should face life-threatening delays for essential treatment.
We take immediate action, funding urgent surgeries, radiography, echocardiography, psychological support, and diagnostic services.
Our commitment is to bridge the time gap in the public healthcare system by providing swift surgical interventions, psychological support, diagnostic services, and holistic patient care, ensuring equitable access to life-saving treatment.
Together, we can ensure that no patient is denied timely treatment simply because they were born into a system that fails them.
Often a patient may have to wait 12 weeks or more for life-saving treatment, far beyond the medically recommended time frame. These delays are caused by overburdened hospitals, limited theatre time, and a shortage of medical professionals, leaving thousands of women in limbo while their cancer progresses.
01
Diagnosis
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We employ an additional doctor at the Groote Schuur Breast Clinic to help fast-track diagnosis.
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We fund the maintenance of essential scanning equipment, like ultrasound machines.
The Project Flamingo Effect
+80 additional patients diagnosed per month, reducing backlogs.
02
Staging
We fund a CT scan catch-up list at Tygerberg Hospital to assist doctors in staging and planning treatment effectively.
The Project Flamingo Effect
Reducing waiting times from 6 weeks to 2 weeks.
03
Oncology
We fund a echocardiography catch-up list at Livingstone Hospital, assisting with essential pre-chemotherapy screening.
We also fund an oncology nurse 4 days per week at George Hospital to assist with patient load.
The Project Flamingo Effect
Reducing waiting times from 12 weeks to 2 weeks
04
Surgery
Our Surgery Program are operational at 7 Public Hospitals performing over 330+ surgeries per year. Our surgeons and anaesthetists volunteer their time on Saturdays to do these lists.
The Project Flamingo Effect
We reduce waiting times from 20 weeks to 8 weeks.
05
Post-operative Essentials
We provide our surgery patients with drainbags and heart pillows to make that recovery a little bit more comfortable.
The Project Flamingo Effect
Patients do not receive these in the State Sector.
06
Emotional Support
We fund a psychologist at Groote Schuur Breast Clinic, ensuring patients have access to critical mental health care.
The Project Flamingo Effect
We are the only active psychology service available to patients at this facility.
CATCH-UP SURGERIES
We provide catch-up breast cancer surgeries at five public hospitals that we’ve partnered with in the Western & Eastern Cape in order to help more patients access timely care. Our teams of volunteer surgeons & anaesthetists, together with nursing staff perform these surgeries on selected Saturdays using existing hospital infrastructure.
HEALTH SYSTEM STRENGHTENING
In order to boost existing infrastructure and ensure timely diagnosis we pay for additional specialists at the Groote Schuur Breast Unit, maintain essential equipment like ultrasound machines & our online booking system helps with improved access. In addition, we provide training and educational opportunities for specialists-in-training and medical students.
PATIENT SUPPORT PROGRAM
Holistic care goes beyond surgery. We provide every newly diagnosed patient with a Pamper Pack (a hand-made toiletry bag filled with personal care essentials like body lotion, lip balm & beauty products) to keep their feminine spirits alive. And we support needy chemotherapy patients with food parcels when they receive treatment.
