2024 Submissions open for Icon Oncology social grants.
March 2024: Applications for the Icon Oncology 2024 Social Grants Programme is officially open. Since its launch in 2022, the grant programme has assisted several NGOs and smaller charitable initiatives, supporting South African’s impacted by cancer.
Designed to foster growth within the oncology and supporting services sector, this opportunity is open to individuals, small businesses, or NGOs whose initiatives align with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) principles.
Headed by Bev Sebastian, the Social and Economic Development (SED) committee at Icon Oncology highlights the positive outcomes of the social investment programme in previous years. Several initiatives received funding, enabling them to scale their operations and contribute meaningfully to the oncology community.
During 2023 Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) South Africa, received a hundred thousand Rand investment to increase their impact in the government sector. The grant delivered much needed self-care workshops to cancer patients. The collaboration aims to help uninsured patients with the appearance side-effects of cancer treatment.
Look Good Feel Better, the 2023 Icon grant recipient, hosted a self-care workshop for state patients in February 2024 at the Icon Radiotherapy Unit in Bloemfontein.
“We often hear from patients that the biggest realisation of a cancer diagnosis is the moment they experience appearance-related side effects and sadly, many patients have little resources to mitigate these. Our partnership with Look Good Feel Better has been tremendously successful with close to a thousand patients enrolled in their workshops. Making a tangible difference in the lives of these patients is the biggest indicator of success for us,” says Sebastian.
2022 Success
Another success story involves Tymeless Necessity Hair, a small female led BBBEE company in Johannesburg, which received a grant in 2022 to train two wig manufacturers. This skills development initiative equipped them with practical tools and training to create high-quality wigs for cancer patients. Tymeless Necessity Hair also collaborates with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), providing wigs for financially challenged patients.
Additionally, a special grant facilitated life-saving treatment for 12 uninsured patients with radical breast cancer at Icon Radiotherapy units in Kwazulu Natal. These patients, selected and referred by the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, also received transport assistance to ensure completion of their treatment.
Bev Sebastian emphasises the need for applicants to align with Icon Oncology’s purpose, which is to provide cancer patients with opportunities for healthier lives. She encourages start-ups, smaller NGOs, and academics to seize this ideal opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of cancer patients.
Since its inception, Icon Oncology has been a pioneer in transitioning to a value-based cancer care model, ensuring the sustainability of oncology in the country and improving access to quality cancer care for a broader spectrum of South Africans.
How it works
If you are interested in applying, submit the application form and supporting documents as outlined below:
- Download the application form here: Download form
- Submit the form electronically (handwritten applications will not be accepted)
- Please provide concise answers to each question.
- Submit the application to Dr Melisa Pillay mpillay@iconsa.co.za include ‘Expression of interest form’ in the subject line.
- Deadline for submissions is 15 April 2024.
For more information visit www.iconsa.co.za.
