OFM Family Focus

The staging of cancer plays a vital role in treatment and treatment outcome. Early stages of diagnosis often has a positive outcomes vs late stage diagnosis which is often associated with poor outcome and high mortality. Clinical Nursing Specialist at the Cancer Association of SA, Vlooi Venter, joins Yolanda Maartens in the OFM Family Focus to explain the importance of early detection and to unpack the different stages of cancer. You can get detailed information online www.cansa.org.za or email [email protected]

At only 18 her life changed, forever and 32 years later Nthabiseng Molongoana still reflects on that day with pain but equal amounts of hope. Today, as Provincial Director of APD Free State, Nthabiseng isn’t just running programs—she’s transforming lives across the entire province. Every day, she oversees services for hundreds of people, from residential care at the Jean Webber Home to skills training at Kopano Workshop. But what makes her leadership special isn’t just what she does—it’s how she does it. She joins Yolanda Maartens in the OFM Family Focus to challenge you to live life without limits.

The bond between humans and canines isn’t just a source of joy; it’s a lifeline. Director and Founder of Honey’s Garden Medical Service Dogs, Lucy Breytenbach has turned her lifelong passion for animals into a mission to help those living with epilepsy. Lucy and the team from Honey’s Garden Medical Service Dogs aim to bridge the gap between South Africans in need and the life-changing support of a service dog.

Epilepsie is 'n toestand wat mense nie verstaan nie. Wat is van die taboos van Epilepsie? Dr. Ben van Niekerk ontmasker sommige van die wanpersepsies, veral vir kinders wat met epilepsie saamleef.

OFM Family Focus is your daily appointment discussing your family’s needs on Mid-Morning Magic, weekdays, 09:00 - 12:00. Yolanda Maartens discuss education and learning, family health and nutrition, babies and toddlers, parenting and marriage advice, as well as teenagers and planning for the future with various experts in the respective fields. Read more: https://www.ofm.co.za/Blogs?page=1&blog=135

OFM Family Focus is your daily appointment discussing your family’s needs on Mid-Morning Magic, weekdays, 09:00 - 12:00. Yolanda Maartens discuss education and learning, family health and nutrition, babies and toddlers, parenting and marriage advice, as well as teenagers and planning for the future with various experts in the respective fields. Read more: https://www.ofm.co.za/Blogs?page=1&blog=135

This year Epilepsy South Africa is launching a bold new national campaign – Epilepsy Pledge: Epilepsy In Action – calling on all South Africans to take one meaningful step to support persons with epilepsy. Epilepsy SA calls all South Africans to take one meaningful action today to support persons with epilepsy. National Director of Epilepsy SA, Sharelene Cassel joins Kayla Barker in the OFM Family Focus to dive into the importance of awreness moving into action.

Menopouse gaan nie net oor warm gloede en breinbeneweldheid nie. Dit is ook ‘n tyd wanneer hormonale veranderinge die risiko van borskanker kan beïnvloed. Kliniese Verpleeg Spesialis by KANSA, Vlooi Venter, sluit by Yolanda Maartens aan om te verduidelik hoe hormone, menopouse en kanker jou risiko kan beïnvloed. Besoek gerus www.cansa.org.za vir meer inligting.

The Deputy Director at the Disability Unit based at the Central University of Technology Bloemfontein, Mohau Manyarela, joins Yolanda Maartens to challenge you to live life without limits. He highlights the importance of accessibility for students and also the lengths they go to for the individual needs of students. The Disability Unit has various programs that they implement across faculties. For more information you can visit: https://www.cut.ac.za/disability-unit

The Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Council (GYLC) was established to evolve Special Olympics youth work from being for the youth to by the youth. The Council aims to position young leaders to play an active role in the execution of Special Olympics programming at the Global, Regional, National, and local levels. For the next two year term, two young South Africans have been chosen as members to represent Africa. Lumka Gogela joins Yolanda Maartens to challenge you to live life without limits and to share her journey within the Special Olympics team and GYLC.

The Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Council (GYLC) was established to evolve Special Olympics youth work from being for the youth to by the youth. The Council aims to position young leaders to play an active role in the execution of Special Olympics programming at the Global, Regional, National, and local levels. For the next two year term, two young South Africans have been chosen as members to represent Africa. Zamangwe Mazibuko joins Yolanda Maartens to challenge you to live life without limits and to share her journey within the Special Olympics team and GYLC.

Brunhild Strauss is woonagtig in Springbok in die Noordkaap. Hy is ‘n parapleeg vanaf sy bors verlarm weens ‘n motorongeluk 30 jaar gelede. Hy is aan diens by die Nasionale Raad vir en van Persone met Gestremdhede (NCPD) as Ontwikkelings Werker en beeiwer homself vir die bewusmaking en inklusiewe omgewing so wel as toeganklinkeid en die uitrol van projekte in die Namakwaland. Hy help ook met die insamel van volwasse weggooibare doeke en die rekonstruksie van trappe by laekoste behuising na opritte vir toegang. Brunhild sluit by Yolanda Maartens aan om jou te motiveer om met ander oe na mense in rolstoele te kyk en om jou deel te doen vanjaar om fondse in te samel vir die noodsaaklike werk wat die NCPD doen deur deel te wees van Loslitdag die 5de September 2025. Meer inligting by casualday.co.za

Kolorektale kanker is in ‘n groot mate leefstyl verwant, en Suid Afrikaners moet let op die verskeie risiko faktore. Wees bedag op die tekens en simptome van Kolorektale kanker en kry dadelik hulp. Vlooi Venter , Kliniese Verpleegspesialis by KANSA, sluit by Yolanda Maartens aan in die OFM Familie Fokus om te gesels oor die insidensie van Kolorektale kanker so wel as die behandelingspad. Kontak haar gerus [email protected] of skakel die tolvrye hulplyn by 0800 22 66 22.

Taking place under the auspices of South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025 the Disability-20 (D20) seeks to centre the voices, leadership, and lived experiences of persons with disabilities in global policy formulation. With the momentum initiated by the Brazilian G20 Presidency in 2024, South Africa is uniquely positioned to solidify the D20 as a recognised and impactful platform within G20 structures. The G20, as a global policy driver, must reflect inclusive values that go beyond, and the D20 is the collective vehicle to achieve that. Therina Wentzel, National Director at the NCPD joins Yolanda Maartens to share the progress they have made with this initiative and to invite participation in the various workstreams being hosted across the country. They are also gearing up for Casual Day which is on the 5th of September. To get involved visit https://ncpd.org.za/g20-d20/

Lolo Lekgoane joins Yolanda Maartens in the OFM Family Focus to motivate you to live life without limits. She speaks about her journey with SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) and how fighting to stay healthy has created awareness of the plight of others also faced by this autoimmune disease.

The Bloemfontein School of Autism is the only one of it’s kind in the Free State. Regional Development Officer for Autism SA, Salina Jele, joins Yolanda Maartens in the OFM Family Focus to talk about their support groups for parents, the needs of the school and the importance of understanding children living with Autism. You can find more information at https://www.aut2know.co.za/

Disability Connect is South Africa’s leading portal for disability in the workplace news, perspectives and general information. They also host South Africa’s Biggest Career and Workplace Readiness Expo’s For People Living With Disabilities and an annual summit which is taking place in May 2025. Managing Editor of Disability Connect, Chris Buchanan joins Yolanda Maartens in the OFM Family Focus to motivate you to live life without limits. Check them out online at www.disabilityconnect.co.za

Kanker van die eierstokke is nie die mees algemene van die vroulike cankers nie, maar die dodelikste vanwee die verskuilde tekens en simptome wat aanleiding gee tot laat diagnose en hoe mortaliteit. Vlooi Venter Kliniese Verpleegspesialis by KANSA (Kanker Vereeiging van SA) sluit by Yolanda Maartens aan om te gesels oor die misleidende tekens en simptome van ovariale kanker/kanker van die eierstokke. Besoek gerus www.cansa.org.za vir hulpmiddels en ondersteuning.

Annually on 7th April, the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) along with many organizations across the globe, commemorate World Health Day. World Health Day was initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to highlight and raise awareness to the key elements that affect and contribute to the health outcomes of every nation around the world. In 2025 the campaign theme is “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures”. The theme urges governments and the health community to increase efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s long-term health and well-being. Professor Pamela Naidoo, the CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation joins Yolanda Maartens in the OFM Family Focus to talk about the importance of World Health Day and the work they do at the Hearth and Stroke Foundation.

Therapeutic horse riding for persons living with disabilities aims to promote social wellbeing, improve quality of life and provides exercise, rehabilitation and recreation for participants and patients. From SARDA Cape Town, PR Manager Bee Lukey joins Yolanda Maartens to motivate you to live life without limits and to gain understanding on the importance of the work they do. Find out more at www.sarda.co.za

The South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD) is the premier organization responsible for advancing disability sport in South Africa. Jean Miggels, President of the SASAPD joins Yolanda Maartens to motivate listeners to support the para-athletes at the national championships taking place in March. She shares her message of motivation for participating athletes and urges businesses to get involved by providing financial support to their athletes. Find out more at www.sasapd.org.za

Na 20 jaar se diens by die Vereniging van Blindes Vrystaat, het Marianne Kruger einde 2024 afgetree maar steeds bedien sy die gemeenskap van die Vrystaat. Haar passie vir die werk wat hulle dwars oor die streek doen, kan selfs na 2 dekades nie geblus word nie. Sy sluit by Yolanda Maartens aan om te gesels oor hul dienste en produkte so wel as hul rolbal fondsinsamelings geleentheid die 8ste Maart in Bloemfontein. Jy kan meer uitvind per epos aan [email protected]

Kliniese Verpleeg Spesialis, Vlooi Venter sluit by Yolanda Maartens aan om te gesels oor die gevare van suiker, rooivleis, alkohol, jou mikrogolfoond en die gebruik van plastiek items. Luister gerus na haar wenke en maak kontak met haar per epos by [email protected]

Charmaine Rider, Administrateur en Finansiele bestuurder by Cancervive het onlangs met Yolanda Maartens gesels tydens ‘n buiteuitsending in Klerksdorp. Cancervive beywer hulself om inligting oor kanker met gemeenskappe dwars oor die land te deel, bewusmaking te kweek en stigmas te breek. Sy gesels ook oor THUTO, hul Whatsapp lyn waar mense in verskeie tale inligting oor kanker kan kry. Kry besonderhede aanlyn https://cancervive.co.za/

Helen Bishop Ortopediese Nasorgtehuis is 'n residensiële sentrum wat sorg, stimulasie en fisioterapie aan 60 kinders en volwassenes van die Noord-Kaap bied. Baie kinders word hier geplaas deur maatskaplike werkers en die howe weens verwaarlosing, mishandeling en verlating en bly uiteindelik tot in volwassenheid by die tehuis as gevolg van 'n gebrek aan toepaslike alternatiewe plasing. Weens 'n befondsingstekort benodig die Helen Bishop tehuis bystand van die publiek om lopende kostes te help dek. Bestuurder van die tehuis, Chrissie Damons gesels met Yolanda Maartens in die OFM Family Focus oor hulle behoeftes en haar betrokkenheid oor die laaste 30 jaar.

Elaine Passmoor National Executive Director, Down Syndrome South Africa joins Yolanda Maartens in the OFM Family Focus to talk about Down Syndrome Awareness month which is highlighted annually during October. More info here: https://www.downsyndrome.org.za/awareness-and-fundraising/

Koos Bierman, bemarker vir die “South African Society of Physiotherapy” (SASP) in die Vrystaat sluit by Yolanda Maartens aan in die OFM Familie Fokus. Die SASP word hierdie jaar 100 jaar oud en Suid Afrika was een van die eerste lande waar die professie begin is wat werklik 'n besonderse mylpaal is. Landswyd is daar projekte om die prestasie te vier en in die Vrystaat gaan daar twee kompetiesies wees vir die publiek sowel as skoliere in die Vrystaat

The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) is well known locally, regionally and internationally for dedicating the entire month of September to heart awareness. This weerk Yolanda Maartens is joined by Prof Pamela Naidoo CEO of the Hearth and Stroke Foundation of SA (HSFSA) to find out more.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) is well known locally, regionally and internationally for dedicating the entire month of September to heart awareness. This weerk Yolanda Maartens is joined by Ms Shonisani Nephalama, Nutrition Science Team Lead from the Hearth and Stroke Foundation of SA (HSFSA) to find out more.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) is well known locally, regionally and internationally for dedicating the entire month of September to heart awareness. This weerk Yolanda Maartens is joined by Sister Juandre Watson, Health Promotion and Health Risk Assessment Programme Team Lead from the Hearth and Stroke Foundation of SA (HSFSA) to find out more.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) is well known locally, regionally and internationally for dedicating the entire month of September to heart awareness. This weerk Yolanda Maartens is joined by Nurse Silvia Craucamp a health promotion officer from the Hearth and Stroke Foundation of SA (HSFSA) to find out more.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) is well known locally, regionally and internationally for dedicating the entire month of September to heart awareness. This weerk Yolanda Maartens is joined by Nurse Silvia Craucamp a health promotion officer from the Hearth and Stroke Foundation of SA (HSFSA) to find out more.

Mid-morning Magic se Yolanda Maartens praat met Liezel Gouws oor hoe sy die lewe sonder perke leef.

Kliniese verpleeg spesialis by CANSA, Vlooi Venter verduidelik hoekom hierdie kanker maklik met Tuberkulose verwar word, wat is die tekens en simptome van Hodgkin’s limfoom waarop mens bedag moet wees en hoe word dit behandel. Besoek https://cansa.org.za/ vir meer besonderhede of epos [email protected]

Rolling Inspiration is the premier lifestyle publication in SA for people with mobility impairments. Highlighting the quality of life that people with mobility impairments can enjoy, Rolling Inspiration shares information on education, work, love, sport, sex, travel and so much more. Editor Mariska Morris joins Yolanda in the OFM Family Focus. Find the digital magazine here: https://www.rollinginspiration.co.za/

The QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) is considered the leading agency representing persons with spinal cord injury and physical disability in South Africa. QASA is a NPO of Quadriplegics and Paraplegics. QASA strives to develop products, programmes and services in order to develop capacity amongst its members and to offer opportunities for societal integration. GM Richard Barron joins Mid-Morning Magic's Nolly Dyonase to find out what the Quad Para Association is about.

Ilse De Wit van Reach For Recovery sluit by Yolanda Maartens aan om te gesels oor die vrywilligers wat deel maak van hul program en hoe belangrik dit is om ondersteuning aan borskanker pasiente te bied. Om betrokke te raak kontak haar gerus by 079 760 4491.

Suretha is 'n gebore, grootgeworde Vrystaatse meisie en die middelkind van drie susters. Sy was nog altyd 'n gesonde mens, was lief vir oefening en gesond eet. Toe sy in 2010 gediagnoseer is, het dit vir haar en haar hele gesin as 'n skok gekom. Haar skenker, haar ma, is 'n besonderse vrou. 4 dae nadat Suretha gediagnoseer is, het sy haar ouma weens ouderdom en siekte verloor, maar haar ma het ongeskonde voortgegaan in haar geloof en moederlike pligte. Sy is steeds soos ’n stoomtrein, onstuitbaar in haar werk as musiekonderwyseres en in haar gemeenskap. Behalwe vir die paar beperkings wat na-oorplantingspasiënte het, soos om 'n bietjie versigtig te leef vir stampe, ens., het haar lewe meer in die oog verander as in die praktyk. Sy beskou die lewe weer as 'n kind, gryp geleenthede aan en sien dinge vir die wonderwerke wat dit is. Waardeer die mense in haar lewe en die kanse wat sy gegun word. Vir Suretha is haar gesin haar grootste prioriteit terwyl sy besig is om voor te berei vir die volgende World Transplant Games wat in 2024 in Bormio Italie plaasvind. Lees meer oor die spele: https://wtgf.org/

Een van die belangrikste faktore in kanker behandeling en uitkoms is vroee opsporing en diagnose. Die beginsel is: hoe vroer kanker opgespoor word, hoe beter die kans op suksesvolle behandeling en ‘n positiewe uitkoms. Daarom die uiters belangrike uitlating van SA Journal of oncology: Mites & wanpersepsies aangaande kanker is die hoofrede waarom pasiente laat presenteer met kanker. Vlooi Venter Kliniese Verpleegspesialis van KANSA sluit by Yolanda Maartens aan en gesels oor die mites en wanpersepsies en die invloed hiervan op uitkoms van behandeling sowel as die grade van kanker. Lees gerus meer hier: https://cansa.org.za/cansa-on-cancer-myths/

Die feit dat Lammert Stavast se seun in 2017 met 'n serebraal gestremdheid gebore is, het sy gesin se lewe op soveel maniere verander. Om doktersafsprake te maak, terapeute te sien, op die internet vir nuwe terapiemetodes te soek en verskillende hulpmiddels te evalueer, het die nuwe norm geword. As finansiele adviseur het Lammert besef dat belastingopgawes vir gestremdes en hul gesinne, 'n nagmerrie kan wees. Dit is toe dat hy "Your Disability Tax" gestig het om die nodige dienste te kan lewer. Hy sluit by Yolanda Maartens aan in die OFM Familie Fokus om hul dienste verder te verduidelik. Besoek hulle gerus: https://yourdisabilitytax.co.za/

The quadriplegic and paraplegic charitable trust was established in 2012 in order to provide a means of funding for quadriplegics and paraplegics, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, who have entrepreneurial opportunities but just need some guidance and support to grow their ideas and opportunities. Entrepreneurship is often a better avenue than mainstream employment for those faced with disabilities in SA. Ari Seirlis from the charitable trust joins Yolanda Maartens to challenge listeners to live life without limits. You can contact the trust here: https://qpctsa.co.za/index.html

Wanneer dit kom by die regte en vryhede van persone met gestremdhede in Suid-Afrika – hoe vergelyk ons met die res van die wêreld? Wat is van die grootste uitdagings wat mense met 'n gestremdheid in die gesig staar? Yolanda Maartens gesels met Melanie Lubbe, sekretariaat van SADA oor die belangrike rol wat bewusmaking van hierdie daaglikse kwessies speel om aanvaarding en verandering te bevorder. https://www.sada.org.za/about-us/

Mid-Morning Magic se Yolanda Maartens praat met Vlooi Venter, Kliniese Verpleegspesialis by die Kankervereniging van Suid-Afrika (Kansa), oor bewusmaking van Melanome as die dodelikste van kankers, risiko faktore, kenmerke van melanoma en risiko vermindering. Vir meer inligting besoek KANSA se webtuiste by www.cansa.org.za Bel Kansa se hulplyn 0800 66 00 66 of stuur ’n e-pos na Vlooi Venter by [email protected]

Om amper lewenslank in 'n rolstoel te spandeer het verskeie uitdaagings maar vir Naudine Booyens van Bloemfontein het sy net besluit om vrede te maak met haar omstandighede en aan te gaan. Sy vertel dat dit soms steeds 'n love/hate verhouding is met haar rolstoel maar sy kry oneindig baie dinge vir haarself gedoen. Sy is tans besig om haar BCom graad af te handel en sien uit om nie meer sekere van die struikelblokke op kampus te hoef te hanteer nie. Dit is duidelik terwyl sy praat dat die geriewe nie altyd ingerig was vir iemand in 'n rolstoel nie en die toegang tot geboue, klasse en eksamenlokale was soms uiters moeilik. Ten spyte van die moeilike dae het sy positief gebly en bly sy op haar eie. Luister gerus na haar inspirerende boodskap hier.

World Prematurity Day on 17 November is one of the most important days in the year to raise awareness of the challenges and burden of preterm birth globally. At Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital in Bloemfontein they host an entire week of awareness and conversations. They focus on supporting moms who currently have prem babies in their neo natal unit as well as inviting other moms to come and share their stories. They also celebrate the doctors and nursing staff who work with these small little humans every day. Dietician at Pelonomi's Neonatal Unit Hanna Williamson joins Yolanda Maartens in the OFM Family Focus.

September is deaf awareness month and CEO of the National Institute for the Deaf, Cobus van Deventer joins Mid-Morning Magic’s Yolanda Maartens to highlight the programs they offer and to elaborate on this year’s theme. https://nid.org.za/

Casual Day is South Africa’s leading fundraising & awareness campaign for Persons with Disabilities and is the flagship project of the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities. This year you can “Share a Smile” while proudly sporting your Casual Day sticker. Launched in 1995, Casual Day is an awareness and fundraising campaign benefiting persons with disabilities. Therina Wentzel: National Director of NCPD joins Mid-Morning Magic’s Yolanda Maartens to explain how you can get involved and show your support come 1 September 2023. Get your stickers here: https://casualday.co.za/digital-sticker/

World Breastfeeding Week specifically focuses on breastfeeding and employment/work in 2023. With that in mind, Mid-Morning Magic's Yolanda Maartens approached the NWU to find out what their breastfeeding policy stipulates. Bonita Maboeta shares the process of putting the policy together and also what it means to the staff of the North West University.

Dr Katie Pereira-Kotze joins Mid-Morning Magic's Yolanda Maartens this World Breastfeeding Week. Katie is a dietitian by training and has been working in the field of public health nutrition since 2005. Her research and publications have focused on the protection of breastfeeding through maternity protection for informal workers and the documentation of harmful marketing of commercial milk formula. She talks about maternity protection in South Africa.