Make a difference - one step at a time

HOPE is at the heart of the Cancer Association of South Africa’s (CANSA) drive to raise funds, garner support and generate a sense of community participation when they host the fourth Cansa Relay For Life event on March 9 at Kemsley Park Sports Grounds, Port Elizabeth.

Cansa Relay For Life is a life-changing overnight event that gives everyone in communities around the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled against cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.

Community–based Relay For Life events also raise much-needed funds and awareness to support CANSA’s purpose to lead the fight against cancer in South Africa and improve lives by helping people to stay well and get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.

“With more than 60 Cansa Relay For Life events taking place annually it has become the biggest fund-raiser drive for the Cancer Association of South Africa,” said Joan Duarte from Cansa EC.

 “The funds raised will enable us to continue our community’s investment in the fight against cancer through cancer education, advocacy efforts, and providing important services and support to patients and their families.”

Relay For Life was started in 1983 by the American Cancer Society, and has since grown to an International project involving more than 20 countries and countless communities. It is the largest cancer awareness and fundraising activity in the world.  In South Africa, the first Relay For Life took place in 2005 and since then it has grown to over 60 events across the country.

According to Avril Smith, Cansa Relay For Life PE event chair, 53 teams participated in the PE event last year raising R171 000.

“Many of the participants will be people who have dealt with cancer themselves. Their involvement is proof of the progress we are making in reducing cancer deaths and in the quality of life following cancer treatment.”

Funds are raised through team entry fees, team or individual fund raising and Luminaria (Candle of Hope) donations. Teams, consisting of 10 to 15 people, either walk or run for 12 hours in relay around a track, thereby ensuring that there is at least one person from a team on the track at any given time.

Two highlights of every Relay are the Survivorship activities and the “Luminaria Ceremony” each acknowledging those who have been touched by cancer.

“The theme for this year’s event is Mission Possible – Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back,” said Smith. “The human spirit is so powerful, whether we are fighting disease, facing a challenge, or running a race, anything is possible.”

For more information on the event please contact Cansa Relay For Life team development leader Claerwen Hart on 082-4931430 or claerwen@telkomsa.net. Entry cost: R600 per team.

NOTE: CANSA’s purpose is to lead the fight against cancer in South Africa and to save lives. It is the only organisation that focuses on adult and childhood cancer and support, plays a major role in funding cancer related research, and is an active watchdog advocating for change to protect all communities in South Africa from known carcinogens. CANSA Eastern Cape can be reached on 041-3735157 for more information, guidelines or assistance.

CANSA has more than 300 staff, 14 000 volunteers and 51 offices nation-wide. Visit www.cansa.org.za or contact CANSA toll-free on 0800 22 66 22.