CANSA

Name

CANSA

Legal name

Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)

Website

https://cansa.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1931

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CANSA is a South African non-profit founded in 1931 that delivers cancer research, education, advocacy, screening and direct patient support through 18 care centres, 8 care homes, and multilingual tele-counselling serving cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and the general public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Health Care and Social Assistance (62), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Palliative Care (Home-Based) Providers (HLAFAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Enteral Stoma Care & Accessories (Gastrostomy/Jejunostomy Skin Care, Securement, Dressings) (HLAHALAJ), Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Cancer screening programs
• Patient advocacy services
• Caregiver support programs
• Cancer awareness education

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue stream from individual donations, corporate donations, and fundraising events including Shavathon, Relay For Life, Cuppa For CANSA, CANSA Active, and the Daredevil Run. Also includes bequests and legacies.
2. Cause Related Marketing: Revenue from CRM partners who sell products with a portion going to CANSA, and CSI partners who provide corporate social investment funding
3. CANSA eShop and Charity Shops: Online eShop (cansashop.org.za) and physical charity shops selling products including wigs, prostheses, and promotional items
4. Membership Fees: Revenue from individuals becoming members of CANSA to support the fight against cancer
5. Service Fees: Affordable fees for services including Care Home accommodation, medical equipment hire, and certain clinical services at CANSA Care Centres

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels20 records

Core offering

CANSA provides integrated cancer support through 18 Care Centres offering screening, counselling, stoma support, medical equipment hire, wigs, breast prostheses and lymphoedema garments, alongside 8 Care Homes providing affordable accommodation for out-of-town patients and CANSA-TLC lodging for parents of children in treatment. Digital offerings include free multilingual Tele Counselling in seven languages, the iSurvivor email-based survivor support programme, the KickButt smoking cessation programme, the FLOD card game for childhood cancer screening, and the Patient-Led Living with Cancer Registry, supplemented by advocacy referrals, corporate employee wellness programmes and the CANSA Seal of Recognition certification for lower-cancer-risk products.

Product overview

CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa) is a non-profit organisation offering an integrated service model consisting of physical care centres, accommodation facilities, digital support programmes, and community-based services. The core offerings include CANSA Care Centres providing screening, counselling, stoma support, wigs, prostheses and equipment hire; CANSA Care Homes offering accommodation for out-of-town patients; and the CANSA TLC Programme for children and teens with cancer. Digital support includes iSurvivor email programmes, KickButt quit smoking programme, CancerCare Coping Kit audio-programme, and the FLOD card game. Additional services encompass Tele Counselling (free, multilingual), support groups (face-to-face and online via Facebook/WhatsApp), advocacy referrals, and the CANSA Seal of Recognition product certification programme. The organisation also operates CANSA eShop for merchandise and provides educational content through videos, webinars, and podcasts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CANSA Smart Choice Seal of Recognition: A seal of recognition awarded to products that meet CANSA's criteria for lower cancer risk, enabling consumers to identify products that support a healthy lifestyle.
• iSurvivor
• iSurvivor Metastatic Breast Cancer
• KickButt
• CANSA Tele Counselling
• FLOD (First Line of Defence)
• CANSA Free2Bme

Products and services

• CANSA Care Centres Physical care centres offering cancer screening, professional counselling, stoma support, medical equipment hire, wigs, breast prostheses, lymphoedema garments and referrals to cancer experts. Built for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and families across South Africa.
• CANSA Care Homes Home-from-home accommodation facilities for out-of-town cancer patients undergoing treatment at oncology clinics, plus CANSA-TLC lodging for parents and guardians of children in treatment.
• CANSA TLC (Tough Living with Cancer) Programme Specialised programme supporting children, teens and young adults diagnosed with cancer and their families, including accommodation at CANSA-TLC lodges and paediatric oncology supplies (ports, broviacs, prosthetic eyes, mobility devices).
• CANSA Tele Counselling Free, confidential, professional cancer-related telephonic counselling service for cancer patients, caregivers, families and parents of children with cancer, available in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, Sesotho and Setswana.
• iSurvivor Online Support Programme Email-based weekly support programme providing inspirational and encouraging messages to cancer survivors along their journey, featuring a cancer survivor character (Aunt Sophia) sharing practical tips.
• iSurvivor Metastatic Breast Cancer Programme Specialised email-based weekly support programme for metastatic breast cancer patients guiding them along their journey.
• KickButt (eKickButt) Quit Smoking Programme Online email-based smoking cessation programme that helps users quit smoking through weekly email support.
• CancerCare Coping Kit Audio-based coping kit developed with cancer survivors to help empower patients to deal with cancer treatment, emotional reactions, nutrition and living positively.
• CANSA Lifestyle Risk Assessment Tool Online self-assessment tool that helps individuals assess their personal cancer risk and receive guidance on how to improve their lifestyle.
• CANSA Seal of Recognition Certification programme awarding a Smart Choice Seal to products that meet CANSA's criteria for lower cancer risk, enabling consumers to identify products that support a healthy lifestyle.
• Cancer Screening Services Affordable cancer screening services, including clinical breast examinations at CANSA Care Centres, with free sponsored screenings available at selected locations during awareness campaigns.
• Stoma Support and Products Stoma care resources, tele stoma support counselling and ostomy products for cancer patients and ostomates, distributed by the CANSA Pretoria Stoma Clinic.
• Medical Equipment Hire Affordable rental service for medical equipment such as wheelchairs and home-care items to support cancer patients and caregivers at home.
• Breast Prostheses and Bras Affordable breast prostheses and bras, including free Knitted Knockers, supplied via CANSA Care Centres for women after mastectomy.
• Lymphoedema Garments Affordable lymphoedema compression garments available to cancer patients through CANSA Care Centres.
• Wigs and Headwear Natural hair and synthetic wigs and headwear provided to cancer patients experiencing treatment-related hair loss.
• Home-based Care Training Training programme equipping loved ones with the skills to provide home-based care for cancer patients.
• CANSA Care Rooms Respite relief facilities offering temporary caregiver respite and terminal (palliative) care support for cancer patients.
• CANSA eShop Online shop selling CANSA merchandise and cause-related marketing products to raise funds and supporter engagement.
• CANSA Advocacy Referrals Advocacy support and online referral service for cancer patients whose treatment is delayed or who lack access to medication, pain control or stoma supplies.
• CANSA Employee Wellness Programme Corporate cancer wellness and screening programme offering cancer risk reduction services and human-rights guidance to South African employers for their employees.
• CANSA Free2Bme (Teen & Young Adult Support) Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) digital support platform providing tailored information, resources and virtual support for teens and young adults (13-24) affected by cancer.
• FLOD (First Line of Defence) Card Game An educational card game featuring the FLOD character (a friendly monster), designed to help educators screen for childhood cancer through interactive play activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free Tele Counselling available in 7 South African languages to cancer patients, caregivers and families
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DKMS AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Partnership to strengthen recruitment of diverse stem cell donors in South Africa while ensuring improved support and matching for blood cancer and blood disorder patients who need life-saving transplants. Donors travelling for transplant procedures stay for free at CANSA TLC facilities.
• Alvi ArmaniminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2025Hair restoration partnership offering cancer survivors access to complimentary, in-depth, and personalised consultations for post-cancer treatment hair restoration. Initiative helps post-cancer treatment patients regain hair, confidence, and quality of life.
• TakealotcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2025Testicular Cancer Awareness Month partnership with Takealot's 'Check Your Package' campaign. Specially modified Takealot boxes delivered with a strategically placed lump to prompt men to perform testicular self-checks. Partnership transforms the nation's favourite delivery experience into a life-saving reminder.
• HollardcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Hollard Daredevil Run partnership where purple speedo-clad heroes run to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer. Hollard donated R1,200,000 to CANSA and Prostate Cancer Foundation in 2025. Partnership includes annual event launching campaign for subsequent year.
• Footprints 2 AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for dignity and care of stoma patients. Life-changing stoma supplies distributed to individuals and hospitals most in need through CANSA Pretoria Stoma Clinic.
• Lymphoma CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCANSA membership keeps the organization aligned with latest lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) information, enabling sharing with South African public while adhering to global standards for excellence in lymphoma care outlined in the Lymphoma Charter.
• Prostate Cancer FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerShared beneficiary of Hollard Daredevil Run funds alongside CANSA. R1,200,000 donated shared between both organisations.
• KZN Department of HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to produce the 'What Is Cancer Booklet' - a basic guide about cancer and oncology available in English and Zulu.
• UICC (Union for International Cancer Control)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCANSA CEO Elize Joubert serves on UICC Global Advocacy Advisory Group since April 2020 and represents South Africa at UICC Leadership Forums. Active participation in World Cancer Leaders' Summits and CEO Forums.
• Cancer Alliance (South Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCANSA CEO serves on the Executive Committee of the Cancer Alliance consisting of 26 member organisations working in cancer control arena in South Africa.
• South African Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (SA NCD Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCANSA CEO serves as Board member since 2014. Alliance networks with many organisations across multiple sectors working on NCD prevention and control.
• Cause Related Marketing (CRM) PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partners selling products with portion of proceeds donated to CANSA. Companies can become CRM Partners to support cancer care.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Sunflower Fund: South African NPO recruiting stem cell donors for blood cancer patients. Directly comparable given CANSA's new partnership with DKMS Africa (Sept 2025) for stem cell donor recruitment—overlapping donor pool and patient base.
• Reach for Recovery: South African breast cancer support NPO providing peer support, prostheses, and post-mastectomy care. Directly comparable to CANSA's breast prostheses, lymphoedema garments, and Champions of Hope survivor support offerings.
• PinkDrive: South African NPO operating mobile cancer screening units (mammograms, pap smears, PSA tests). Overlaps with CANSA's screening services and competes for the same corporate and individual donor pool within South Africa.

Direct peers

• Macmillan Cancer Support: UK cancer NPO providing information, financial support, and a national nurse specialist network. Directly comparable to CANSA's counselling, support group, and care navigation services; similar donation-funded model.
• Cancer Research UK: UK cancer charity combining research funding with public education and patient information—closely aligned with CANSA's research, education, and advocacy pillars. Similar donation-driven revenue model and brand-led fundraising approach.
• CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa: South African NPO providing direct support to children with cancer and their families, including parent accommodation near treatment centres. Highly comparable to CANSA's TLC programme; competes for the same pediatric oncology donor pool and corporate CSI funding.
• Livestrong Foundation: US cancer NPO focused on survivorship support, navigation services, and patient resources. Directly comparable to CANSA's iSurvivor programmes and Champions of Hope survivor community model.
• American Cancer Society: Large US cancer NPO combining research funding, patient support, advocacy, and 24/7 helpline—closely mirroring CANSA's integrated service model. Differentiated by global scale and paid helpline infrastructure comparable to CANSA's free Tele Counselling.
• Cancer Council Australia: Australia's leading cancer NPO umbrella organization providing research, prevention, patient support, and advocacy. Direct functional peer to CANSA's integrated service model in a similarly developed healthcare market.

Broad incumbents

• National Cancer Institute (US): US government cancer research and information agency. Overlaps with CANSA on research funding, patient education, and clinical information dissemination, though as a government-funded entity rather than donation-based NPO.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/cansa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/CancerAssociationofSouthAfricaCANSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/CancerAssociationOfSouthAfrica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cancerassociationofsouthafrica
• Instagraminstagram.com/cancerassociationofsouthafrica
• TikToktiktok.com/@cancerassociationza
• Pinterestpinterest.com/cansa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CANSA