HIV testing from PinkDrive and New Start in August

The organisations joined forces earlier this month, with the goal of extending the services that both parties have to offer. They will work together with the aim to reach more communities and to fulfil more health services with each outreach.

"We will now be able to reach even more men and women within different communities, regardless of what the illness might be," says Noelene Kotschan, founder and CEO of PinkDrive. She added that it is thrilling to know that collaboration such as this can only go from strength to strength.

Although the focus of PinkDrive will always remain cancer, this partnership will empower both parties to offer a wider variety of health services.

"Our joint venture will be launching in Women's Month, which is all about celebrating and empowering women. We want to encourage women to act in the spirit of Women's Month and take a life-changing step to protect themselves against breast cancer and HIV. Both conditions can be beaten, but only if we identify them in time. If you see the Mobile Women's Health Unit, don't hesitate: come in and get screened and tested," says Scott Billy, county director of Society for Family Health, the organisation that manages New Start.

The first outreach is planned for 8 August in Nelspruit. The community can look forward to a pink filled weekend, as PinkDrive and New Start will be offering breast examinations and HIV testing. On Saturday 9 August (in celebration of Woman's Day), young and old can gear up for the Pick 'n Pay Woman's Walk.

The interaction and reciprocity of the projects combining forces is mutually beneficial and the parties are confident that communities will only benefit from this collaboration. For more information, go to www.newstart.co.za or www.sfh.co.za.