Two cycle tours from Gauteng to CPT will be raising important awareness regarding cancer, reducing cancer risk and raising funds for support of cancer patients and loved ones.
On the 3rd March 2017, 11 cyclists gathered at the Grasmere Plaza just outside Johannesburg, to kick off the ‘Tour of Light Cycle Tour’ to Cape Town in support of CANSA, just over 1 400 km’s away. Read more…
The tour with its back-up vehicles sponsored by Europcar will see the cyclists ride from Grasmere to Kroonstad on the first day, and then on to Bloemfontein on the second. From there they will ride through Colesberg, Richmond, Beaufort West, Matjiesfontein, Paarl and finally end off in Cape Town on 10 March 2017.
Founder of the Tour, Cecilia Hiemstra, who was diagnosed with leukaemia adds, “Our aim is to spread light and hope to others and raise awarenessfor CANSA. Two other cyclists who have conquered cancer, Ray Funnell and Lawrence Brittain, will also taking part.”
The Tour includes visits to hospitals and cancer treatment centres on the route, including the CANSA Katleho Care Home in Bloemfontein. When the team arrives in Cape Town, cyclists will be accompanied by other riders who have overcome cancer, to the finish line at Caffe Neo, opposite the lighthouse in Seapoint.
The guest speaker is South Africa’s hero and inspiration Lawrence Brittain, who overcame Hodgkin’s disease and won a silver medal for rowing at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Carletonville to Cape Town Cycle Tour
The Carletonville to CPT Cycle Tour for CANSA’s 85th Anniversary, is all about showing support for cancer Survivors & helping to reducing cancer risk, by raising awareness along the way. Read more…
Cancer Survivors will be top of mind for the team of riders who are going to cycle close to 1 500 km in 12 days.
“It’s not just about cycling for these riders,” says Lucy Balona, one of the cyclist team and CANSA’s Head of Marketing and Communication. “Almost without exception, each participant has been affected by cancer in some way. This is our way of making a difference for cancer Survivors by not only raising funds but also raising awareness of how to lower the cancer risk and to show support for cancer Survivors.”
Organiser Navarre Kruger, who is based in Carletonville says that the team, who is funding itself, has raised just over R105 000 through sponsorships and donations. This money will go to CANSA’s care and support services, including the CANSA Care Centre in Carletonville.
The tour, with its two back-up vehicles sponsored byTempest Car Hire and South32 and support members, left Carletonville on 25 February and will arrive in Cape Town on 8 March. After a few days of rest, they will then tackle the Cape Town Cycle Tour on 12 March 2017.
The first quarter of 2017 will see 14 cyclists participating in the Carletonville to Cape Town cycle tour to raise funds and awareness for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) in the Association’s 85th anniversary year.
“It’s not just about cycling for these riders,” says Lucy Balona, CANSA’s Head of Marketing and Communication. “Almost without exception, each participant has been affected by cancer in some way. This is their way of making a difference for cancer survivors by not only raising funds, but also raising awareness of how to lower the cancer risk and to show support for cancer survivors.”
Balona, who will be taking part says that it’s this type of passion and participation that CANSA encouraged on World Cancer Day on Saturday, 4 February. “The theme of the three-year World Cancer Day campaign is ‘We Can, I Can’ and explores how everyone, individually or in teams, can help to reduce the impact of cancer on individuals, families and communities.”
Riding 1 500 km’s – Cape Town 25 February to 8 March 2017
Cancer survivors will be top of mind for the team of riders who are going to cycle close to 1 500km in 12 days. Organiser Navarre Kruger, who is based in Carletonville says that the team, who is funding itself, has raised almost R200 000 through sponsorships and donations.
“We still have a short while to go, and we’re confident that we’ll beat the targets set by the team”, he says. This money will go to CANSA’s care and support services, including the CANSA Care Centre in Carletonville. (http://www.cansa.org.za/cansa-care-centres-contact-details/)
The tour, with its two back-up vehicles sponsored by Tempest Car Hire and South32 and support members, will leave Carletonville on 25 February and will arrive in Cape Town on8 March. After a few days of rest, they will then tackle the Cape Town Cycle Tour on 12 March. To see the list of riders and route, please visit:
The team has been getting fit for the event, with weekly team spinning classes, social rides over weekends and some members successfully completing to date, the Telkom 947 Cycle challenge, PPA Mangaung Cycle Tour, Amashova Durban Classic Race, BestMed Satellite Classic as well as the Springbok Plant Hire Wind Down Challenge.
Generous sponsors to date include South32, Life Occupational Health Services, KWS, Kuvula Trade, Actom, ABB, Ergomax, Amayez and QMuzik.
CANSA offers a unique integrated service to the public and to all people affected by cancer. As a leading role-player in cancer research (more than R12 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 health programmes comprise health and education campaigns; CANSA Care Centres that offer a wide range of care and support services to those affected by cancer; stoma and other clinical support and organisational management; medical equipment hire, as well as a toll-free line to offer information and support. We also supply patient care and support in the form of 12 CANSA Care Homes in the main metropolitan areas for out-of-town cancer patients; a hospitium based in Polokwane; and CANSA-TLC lodging for parents and guardians of children undergoing cancer treatment.
World Cancer Day is fast approaching, and there are many activities planned for the day. This is the second year that will fall under the 3 year “We can, I can” World Cancer Day campaign.
Use the links to go to each page for further details and information.
Download the full brochure with information here with images to use for social media.
There are multiple activities planned for the day:
29 November 2016 – On 5 December the world will celebrate those who give their time and generosity of spirit to those in need. CANSA will be celebrating the many volunteers who are dedicated to making a positive difference to the lives of cancer survivors.
“Without our network of about 7 000 trained volunteers we would not be able to deliver holistic care and support required by cancer survivors and their families throughout South Africa,” says CANSA Chief Executive officer Elize Joubert.
International Volunteer Day places a spotlight on these selfless people and the care, patience and compassion they display for people who need it most.
“We cannot express just how much we value the contribution our volunteers make to CANSA,” says Joubert. “As a non-profit organisation, we rely heavily on generosity of others and our volunteers continue to step up to pay it forward.”
CANSA’s volunteer network comprises many people who have been affected by the disease in some way – either they are survivors themselves or know someone who is. Then there are those who simply put their hands up to make a difference.
Sheila Moolman (64), a volunteer for 14 years at the CANSA Durban Care Centre, says she was reluctant to become involved at first as she was not a cancer survivor and didn’t enjoy the limelight. “But for some reason I accepted the challenge of running a cancer support group which required me to stand up and address the members on a regular basis.
“I have witnessed courage, fortitude and serenity in so many who have faced this disease and formed so many wonderful friendships. It fulfills me to witness the interaction between survivors and the support and comfort that they give each other.”
Sharon Fransman responded to an advert in the local newspaper in 2012 calling for volunteers at CANSA Wellington. “I immediately enrolled for the volunteer course and I believe it’s the best decision I ever made,” she says. “Often cancer survivors are just looking for someone who is willing to listen. When you volunteer, you become one of the most important companions on their cancer journey.
CANSA provides its volunteers with training and ensures that they receive the support that they require. “They learn from us and we learn from them,” says Joubert. “More often than not, our relationships with our volunteers result in life-long friendships.”
If you would like to become a CANSA volunteer, you can sign up at your local CANSA Care Centre, or register online http://www.cansa.org.za/become-a-volunteer/ or call toll-free 0800 22 66 22 . “You will find that as a volunteer, you find your life experience broadening in more positive ways that you could have ever imagined,” says Joubert.
Elize Joubert CEO of CANSA has won big in the 2015 Africa’s Most Influential Women (MIW) in Business & Government Awards in the category ‘Welfare and Civil Society Organisations’. Taking home not one but two awards for ‘Country Winner for South Africa’ and winner for ‘SADC South Region’ for the category ‘Welfare and Civil Society Organisations’.
On asking Elize what the award meant to her she stated. “I’m highly honoured to receive this recognition and pledge my on-going commitment to health and social issues for the good of our communities. My reward is indeed the development of the communities themselves through the help and support of organisations like CANSA.”
It is hoped this award will reinforce the trust in CANSA and the brand it has created fighting against and for the control of cancer in South Africa.
What is next for CANSA?
The on-going fight of the disease in the light of the increasing frequencies of cancer in South Africa. As well as maintaining a sustainable organisation and meeting implementation goals of their mission in the current economic environment.
