Cancer Association of South Africa
South Africa, Braamfontein · 1981-07-10
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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front
This cover is postmarked on 10 July 1981 in Braamfontein, marking the golden jubilee of the National Cancer Association of South Africa, founded in 1931. The stamp pictures the tools of cancer research itself, a hand adjusting a microscope beneath the association's emblem. Research funding through the association grew enormously in its first decades. In 1955 it spent R2 090 on cancer research. By the time of this jubilee cover that figure had climbed to R609 900, distributed among South African scientists working across the country. If cancer has touched your own life or someone close to you, it can help to speak with a doctor or a cancer support organisation for guidance and support.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet is dominated by a gold rendering of the National Cancer Association's emblem, a rod entwined by a serpent crossed with a torch, set on a star shaped base. The organisation's name runs beside it in bold red, "Die Nasionale Kankervereniging van Suid-Afrika" and "The National Cancer Association of South Africa", with the jubilee years "1931-1981" beneath. The single stamp sits in the top right, showing a photograph beneath a microscope alongside the association's own emblem and jubilee dates. A circular postmark cancels the stamp, reading "NCA Fight Cancer" and "NKV Bestry Kanker" around the same rod and serpent symbol, dated at Braamfontein.
Information Card
THE NATIONAL CANCER ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA (Incorporated Association not for Gain) Proof of the existence of cancer has been found in the ancient Egyptian mummies. Hippocrates described the treatment for cancer in about 300 BC. In September 1931 a group of medical doctors under the patronage of the Hon. Koos Smit, Administrator of the Transvaal, founded the National Cancer Association of SA. It is a voluntary, non-subsidized organization, which finances cancer research, educational programmes and welfare services. Since 1955, when R2 090 was spent on cancer research, the amount has soared to R609 900, which is allocated to scores of SA research scientists, many of whom are of international repute. The NCA is affiliated to the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) and is officially represented by Prof. J.F. Murray, President, Prof. F.G. Geldenhuys, Vice President and Dr. C.J.B. Muller, while Dr. A.A. von Maltitz serves on the Union's financial committee. South Africa's unique opportunities for carrying out local demographic surveys and epidemiological cancer research gained great recognition for the Association. By means of educational programmes the Association aims at bringing the most modern concepts in diagnostic and treatment techniques to the medical and allied professions and to inform the general public about early detection, when most cancers are still curable. The establishment of clinical facilities for the early detection of uterine cancer has made it possible for the Association to check more than 100 000 women per year. The education and rehabilitation of thousands of cured cancer patients is an important humane voluntary service. In the major therapy centres the Association maintains seven temporary homes where ambulant cancer patients receiving radio or chemotherapy may stay free of charge for the duration of the treatment. Other welfare services are aimed at assisting needy patients financially or by professional counselling and other means. 1981 will mark the golden jubilee of the National Cancer Association, whose aims are to save lives and pursue the study of cancer. To be able to do this the Association depends heavily on volunteers to participate in fund-raising and educational projects. Community involvement and personal contact during door-to-door visits, known as "Operation Toktokkie", can play a major role in replacing fear and ignorance about cancer with sound knowledge. Public sympathy and generous financial support in the fight against cancer are necessary to meet the present annual expenditure, which is in excess of R1 600 000. DIE NASIONALE KANKERVERENIGING VAN SUID-AFRIKA (Ingelyf as 'n Vereniging sonder Winsoogmerk) In die ou Egiptiese mummies is bewyse gevind dat kanker toe reeds bestaan het. Hippokrates het in ongeveer 300 v.C. die behandeling van kanker beskryf. In September 1931 het 'n groep mediese dokters onder beskerming van Sy Edele Koos Smit, Administrateur van Transvaal, die Nasionale Kankervereniging van SA gestig. Dit is 'n ongesubsidieerde, vrywilligersorganisasie wat kankernavorsing, opvoedkundige programme en welsynsdienste finansier. Sedert 1955, toe R2 090 aan kankernavorsing bestee is, het die bedrag die hoogte ingeskiet tot R609 900, wat toegeken word aan talle SA navorsingswetenskaplikes, van wie baie internasionaal bekend is. Die NKV is met die Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) geaffilieer en word amptelik deur prof. J.F. Murray, President, prof. F.G. Geldenhuys, vise-President en dr. C.J.B. Muller verteenwoordig, terwyl dr. A.A. von Maltitz op die Unie se finansiële komitee dien. Suid-Afrika se unieke geleenthede om plaaslike demografiese studies en ook epidemiologiese kankernavorsing te onderneem, het die Vereniging in staat gestel om internasionale erkenning te verwerf. Deur opvoedkundige programme poog die Vereniging om die modernste begrippe in diagnostiese en behandelingstegnieke aan die mediese en verwante professies bekend te maak en om die algemene publiek in te lig oor vroeë opsporing, wanneer die meeste tipes kanker nog geneesbaar is. Die voorsiening van kliniese fasiliteite vir die vroeë diagnose van baarmoederkanker het dit vir die Vereniging moontlik gemaak om meer as 100 000 vroue per jaar te toets. Die voorligting en rehabilitasie van duisende genesde kankerpasiënte is 'n belangrike humanitêre vrywillige diens. By die vernaamste terapiesentra het die Vereniging sewe tydelike tuistes waar ambulante kankerpasiënte wat radio- of chemoterapie ontvang vir die duur van die behandeling gratis mag inwoon. Ander welsynsdienste is daarop ingestel om finansiële steun aan behoeftige pasiënte te verleen of professionele voorligting en ander hulp te verskaf. 1981 is die Nasionale Kankervereniging se goue jubileum, waarvan die doelstelling is om meer lewens te red en die bestudering van kanker voort te sit. Om dit te kan doen, is die Vereniging grootliks van vrywilligers afhanklik om aan fondsinsamelings- en opvoedkundige projekte deel te neem. Gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid en persoonlike kontak tydens deur-tot-deur-besoeke, bekend as "Operasie Toktokkie", kan 'n belangrike bydrae lewer om vrees en onkunde oor kanker deur gesonde kennis te vervang. Publieke simpatie en gulhartige geldelike ondersteuning in die stryd teen kanker is noodsaaklik om die huidige jaarlikse uitgawe van meer as R1 600 000 te dek.
Theme: Science & Technology
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R0.05 (ZAR)
SAPO serial number: 3.31
Estimated value: ~US$0.06
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
This first day cover (FDC) is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 211 first day covers documenting the postal history and philately of South Africa and the homeland states. New to first day cover collecting? Read the guide to learn about cachets, postmarks, and stamp collecting terms, or browse the whole collection of Southern African FDCs.
