Media Release from CANSA: The Journey of Hope is an Extraordinary Adventure!
MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE CANCER ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA (CANSA)
Date: 7 May 2012
Att: News Editor
For immediate release
The Journey of Hope is an extraordinary adventure!
The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is hosting the second Relay For Life Corporate event in South Africa, taking place on the evening of 1st September to the morning of 2nd September 2012 at Denel Properties, Irene Campus, Pretoria (Official venue sponsor).
Corporate CANSA Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilises cancer survivors and corporate companies throughout the country to celebrate survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones that have passed away from cancer and raise money for the fight against cancer.
Organised by a corporate volunteer committee, corporate team members take turns walking a track overnight in an effort to fight cancer while building team spirit as well as networking corporate relationships.
“Take hands and become part of this flagship experience. The first ever Corporate Relay For Life was hosted in South Africa in September 2011. We’re ready to Relay, are you?” says Karin Metz, Relay For Life Event Chair.
“Cancer survivors and colleagues work side-by-side on a daily basis and may not know that colleagues are cancer survivors. This Corporate Relay event will give a ‘face and a voice’ to cancer survivors as well as an opportunity for corporate companies and businesses to show their support by committing to fight back against cancer and help South Africans know that they can beat this distressing disease.”
Last year, 107 corporate teams participated in this event showcasing a CANSA exhibition representing awareness campaigns and service programmes. The opening ceremony was attended by over 5000 people with 140 cancer survivors as the honoured guests. Approximately 3500 team members and volunteers walked the track throughout the night as well as enjoyed the entertainment. Visit the Corporate Relay For Life website.
Entertainment was provided throughout the night by well-known celebrities and singers including Matthys Roets and Jakkie Louw. Asking Louw what it meant to him to be part of the event he replied, “I always say CANSA is like an army of cancer warriors fighting cancer, I’m just a soldier in this army. It’s a blessing to be part of this and to be able to use my talents to help make a difference.”
After the opening ceremony, a moving and inspirational Survivors’ lap began to honour the courage of all who live with cancer. They were followed by a procession of vintage cars. A second lap was held where caregivers (families, loved ones, colleagues and others) joined cancer survivors around the track. Each corporate team participating was announced and joined the track to start their laps. After dark, a ‘luminaria’ or candle lighting ceremony was held to honour survivors and remember those that have passed away. Candles were lit inside white paper bags filled with sand , each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer.
As a leader in cancer control in Africa, CANSA combines 80 years of experience through research, education and support to help fight cancer. CANSA educates the public on the prevention and importance of early detection of cancer, as well as provide care and support to people affected by or treated for cancer, through staff and volunteers. CANSA takes on the ‘watchdog’ role to influence South African policy makers and to create public awareness of known cancer-causing factors. (link to CANSA service and health campaigns on website)
Relay began in USA in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest global movement to end the disease. Each year, communities worldwide in 21 countries (Including South Africa) gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.
If you would like to enter a team and be a team captain or get involved with Relay For Life contact Munnik Marais on mmarais@cansa.org.za
About CANSA
CANSA offers a unique integrated service to the public and all people affected by cancer. As a leading role-player in cancer research (more than R6 million spent annually), the scientific findings and knowledge gained from our research are used to realign our health programmes as well as strengthen our watchdog role to the greater benefit of the public.
Our wide-reaching health programme includes prevention and education campaigns, CANSA Care Centres that offer stoma and lymphoedema clinics, medical equipment hire, toll-free line and support to children and their families affected by cancer. Patient care and support in the form of 12 CANSA Care Homes for out-of-town cancer patients in the main metropolitan areas plus one hospitium (based in Polokwane) as well as two CANSA-TLC Lodges for paediatric oncology parents in Pretoria and Limpopo.
(For more information, visit www.cansa.org.za or contact CANSA toll-free 0800 22 66 22 email: info@cansa.org.za).
ENDS
