27 10 24
WE DID IT AND IT FEELS SOO GOOOD!!
The journey of 1000 kilometers starts with the first step but the journey only truly starts when your first step is taken. Our First Step happened!! The Hosting of our first (of many) Cancer Awareness Paint and Sip event was hosted succesfully yesterday (27 10 2024)...and what a success it was!! We always believed that when we pay it forward, when we include and not exlcude and when we acknowledge pain it makes it easier to bear! For those engaging with the Freedom Space for the first time, it is our hope that two things happen - You are inspired to support our various upcoming initiatives and that you feel cared for!
You see - The Freedom Space and Nostalgianique (Antiques) is the culmination of my lifelong yearning to help transform what good and fair business looks like, by Creating businesses that from the outset and at its core and is focused on making a difference and designed to create good memories (nostalgia) for all who enter while investing in tangible difference solutions to soicietal challenges. Certainly we aim to have a sustainable and profitable business for all our stakeholders. We enjoy turning the script of "Normal" business to what a small business should look like. #Heartfirst
I believe, when we do the right things with the right intent; make the right choices - the right things HAPPEN. Well, this is exactly what happened as we prepared and hosted our first Major event in the Freedom Space. We chose Cancer Awareness as our theme not because its topical and colourful (October being the month of Breast Cancer Awareness) and could simply leverage a global theme and make money off of it. We chose it because it was HARD and close to the bone -
Hard because - as recently as a month ago our family buried a brave and strong POWER WOMAN (Aunty Jessie) who fought valiantly and bravely for over three years but sadly succumbed to Cancer in September,
Hard Because - to the wonderful #freindsofnostalgia and personal friends with Cancer diagnosis and who feel alone in their situation and uncertain about "what comes next".
Hard because -it's sensitive and hard because of stigma and being afraid to ask for help or feeling undeserving of help.
Hard because - its difficult to comprehend and feelings are scary in uncertainty and despair is real.
Hard because - it's the reality of so many of us where Cancer directly has impacted every one of us - OUR Family - Friends - Colleagues - Neighbours - Children. It really does not discriminate!
Hard because - Talking about it may be uncomfortable, painful and rather left alone.
Hard because - We ran the risk of no proift - well risk to reality is always a difficult pill to swallow. YES! We didn't sell out the 30 planned tickets but we did our damndest to make a difference and I know we did make a difference to all who entered and have nine new wonderful and amazing #friendsofnostalgia and we know the journey may not be profitable but the message and impact is far more important.
When we considered all the HARD things about Cancer the clearer it became that it was something we needed to talk about, to create an event around and do our best to make it professional and memorable - and we have the Free-est Space to do it in. WE DID IT!!
A DAY TO REMEMBER
The day would not have been possible without our guests and certainly the impact of our speakers who both spoke from the heart and we were honoured by all who attended.
Our Amazing Speakers
Boy oh Boy!! did they blow us away!
Mrs. Gerda De Koker. She is in a nutshell - A TRUE LEGEND - a client of the Antiques shop but also an amazing human-being, full of life, always a hugger, creates smiles wherever she goes and is just an exuberant life of the party person. Up until a few months ago I had no idea about her Breast Cancer diagnosis and when I found out it was surprising as she never showed it, wasnt mopey or sad ever!! its how I often imagine how I would feel along with depressed, lonely and angry - Not HER! a POWER WOMAN of extraordinary strength, courage and Love for everyone. Her story often interupted with an overflow of emotion and was thrilled when she agreed to share at our Event - She was was unbelievably touching, laced with bits of humour of how she was young and nursed her Aunt, how she became compelled to be tested, her reaction to getting her diagnosis, how she felt and the impact to her family and friends with ongoing treatment. Emotional, expressive and a real life Cancer Warrior whose story resonated with so many of our guests (male and female) with tears being shed in solidarity with her.
Gerda, Andre' (husband) and Megan (Daughter) we Love you for sharing a piece of your lives with us and we are eternally grateful and at your service. Your collective Spirits of perseverance, courage and passion for changing OUR WORLD and OUR LIVES will be remembered for all our Lives! #CreateNostalgia
We then had the priviledge of introducing Dr. Leonie Harmse and again my mind was blown and world ratlled and shaken by her deep knowledge and articulation on the subject. Leonie and Callie (husband) and I have become really close and great friends as collectors of Fine Antique pieces and our tastes are often in-sync when it comes to old and beautiful items. She is An astonishlingy beautiful human being with a heart of gold that is always selfless, loving, kind, always ready with a kind smile and warm hug. A true inspiration!
Leonie is a Senior Lecturer at Wits University that leads the Pharmacology Cancer research team. With her amazing calming and assuring voice she took us through how Cancer cells develop, change/evolve and the wide range of medical treatment options that are availabe and most importantly a medical view of fact vs theory vs untruths and how and what to look out for. She gave sound advice on the importance of questions and why questioning treatment, side-effects, recovery do and donts are important and what to be aware of during each stage of treatment. On the more technical side she took our guests through the structural makeup of a Cancer Cell which is her area of expertise. We also went into an in-depth discussion around the various types of treatments avaible and she really did (backed by many years of experience and Her own extensive research) advise on what are the best treatments available today. and some that look promising through clinical trials. She highlighted that there are always Medical trials using various treatments and highlighted that at the moment the best results are being achieved by treating individuals rather then a collective set of patience.
Again - a Thoroughly enjoyable, enlightening, practical talk - done with Love, Care and visbile dedication to her career . I cannot in this forum try and explain the do and don'ts for one simple reason - I am not a doctor! so I can only urge you ensure ask as many questions as possible from your medical professional.
The Impact
We were proud to create an event that encompassed very personal and societal challenges and to show our heartfelt support to those battling a really horrible illness. You know, we often only see and witness change in exceptional circumstances - life often only changes when something catastrophic happens or some major incident forces changes to our lives! This is the reality for so many people around the world whose world is that sometimes just need to share their story and share their knowledge and we could bring those together and make tangible things happen. One of our guests shared how her daughter had just been diagnosed - her own confusion and anger but how through listening to both Gerda and Leonie she is more capable of offering better support as her own understanding, empathy and knowledge increase and is better equipped to assist and support her daughters journey. We also had both males and females committing to being tested and at least 4 appointments were made by Monday as confirmed. We also have a wonderful new and amazing organisation from the Reach for Recovery (https://www.reach4recovery.org.za) who attended and were also so supportive and caring. They are a non-profit organisation that "aims to provide practical and emotional support to breast cancer patients and their families throughout South Africa." We will continue our relationship with them as they continue their amazing work.
Conculsion
I do believe we are changing perspectives on many topics, while addressing key societal and personal challenges faced by our South African Brothers and Sisters - head on. Our next series of events will be around Gender Based Violence, Youth Employment, Youth in Art, Digital Animation and employment and many other important issues. Our Freedom Space welcomes everyone!
Thank you to our Prize Sponsors -
Silver Birch Restaurant https://www.thesilverbirch.co.za -
Buff and Blade Nail Salon https://myappointment.co.za/buff-and-blade -
Ultimate Hair - https://www.ultimatehair.co.za
Iris Optical https://irisoptical.co.za
Congratulations to our winners who took home some amazing self-care and lunch vouchers.
Also thank you to our Wine Sponsor Nanola Wines with their generous sponsorship of all the Sips - https://nanola.wine
Invitation to you!
Your voice can and will make a difference to our events as we hope to bring about real change at community level. Feel free to reach out to us should you require any assistance or have an idea you would like to see happen - we are open to you! contact Elaine on elainef@nostalgianick.com and she will be happy to assist with a custom program.
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