Let’s Fight Cancer Together
The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) celebrates life at its CANSA Relay For Life, Durban event taking place at Oceans Mall, Umhlanga on 5 August 2023, from 15:00 to 21:00.
CANSA Relay For Life is an impactful, team experience, which mobilises cancer survivors and the community to stand together in the fight against cancer. It’s also an opportunity to remember loved ones that have passed away from cancer and to raise funds for the fight against cancer. The theme for this year is ‘Fighting Cancer Together.’
CANSA Relay For Life, Durban Chairperson, Rasigan Naidoo, of the organising committee for explains, “We’re so excited to be hosting a Relay event. COVID-19 stopped us a few years back, but it won’t stop us fighting cancer. Teams (10 – 15 people) register to participate in the Relay event. They set up team sites and take turns walking around a track. Because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to always have a representative on the track during the event in an informal and fun way.”
Throughout the event, there is a host of entertainment. Team members are free to socialise, picnic, play games, dance, and participate in lots of fun activities. Teams are required to pay a donation or commitment fee of R1 000 per adult team and R600 for school teams and commit to raising additional funds to help CANSA enable research, reduce the risk of cancer through education and health awareness while also providing care and support to those affected by cancer.
Cancer survivors from the community are invited to attend where they will be celebrated and honoured through special ceremonies and activities, including an opening Survivors’ lap. This is followed by a Caregivers lap to recognise those who help cancer patients and loved ones in their journey.
Throughout the experience, there are many moments that bring the community together to remember loved ones lost. The Candle Lighting or Luminaria ceremony lights up the night – candles are lit inside paper bags and are placed around the venue as glowing tributes to remember and honour loved ones who have passed or who are still fighting the disease. These candles remain lit throughout the event until the closing ceremony. Luminaria bags are sold prior and at the CANSA Relay For Life event. Family members or friends can also decorate bags. The commitment fee includes a ‘Candle Lighting’ bag with candle and ribbon. And day visitors are welcome to attend at R50 for adults, R20 for kids 11-18 and 10 and younger enter for free.
“At the heart of Relay is the opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors, to remember those who have left us and create awareness about cancer. We invite everyone in the community to get involved,” concludes Naidoo.
Funds raised are used to educate communities as well as providing care and support initiatives provided by CANSA. The service extends to helping people affected by cancer through education, tele counselling, screening, promoting early detection, counselling, support groups, wigs, prostheses, medical equipment hire, home-based care and assistance with wound care and stoma clinics.
For more information, email or contact CANSA Staff Partner, Natasha Brown on 0814778947 office 031 2059525 or email nbrown@cansa.org.za or Volunteer Event Chairperson, Rasigan Naidoo on relayforlifedurban@gmail.com
