Olga takes on CANSA fun run

LOCAL running enthusiast, Olga Thangavay, is taking on the Cancer Association of SA (CANSA) Durban’s Let’s Gijima and get CANSA Active 5km family fun on 4 February, World Cancer Day.

Olga is a keen supporter of CANSA since becoming aware of the work the organisation does in the community after losing her father to cancer.

“I heard about CANSA and decided to take part in last year’s run after seeing an advert about it. I was also growing my hair to donate to make a wig, which I did at the run in 2017. I got to know the people who worked at CANSA and was amazed when I went to the office in Umbilo. I didn’t realise what they did at CANSA or that the patients are housed there. We experienced struggles to get my dad to and from treatment and we weren’t aware of the service CANSA offers to those staying at the premises. I have since been working a lot with the organisation and have tried to get involved in awareness and events,” she said.

Olga also took on the 12-hour Relay for Life last year and supported the CANSA Shavathon.

“I have been doing word of mouth assistance for donations for CANSA and as I do a lot of trail runs, I have donned my CANSA Active shirt, which has helped bring about awareness for the organisation. So many people have asked me where I got the shirt, and the majority of them were not aware of the organisation which is right on our doorstep. It is almost that people are ignorant about cancer until they are affected by it,” she said.

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Olga enjoys running and looks forward to taking on the Let’s Gijima event, for such a good cause.

“I love running. I stopped for a while when my father was ill, but got back into it. I find road running quite boring and stick to 5km routes if I do races. I would rather take on trail runs, and can do up to 20km races. I make a day of it, even if I walk the route, it’s an experience. My love for running comes from trying to live a healthier life. I’m looking forward to the run on 4 February. I have a lot of respect for the survivors who come down and I am in awe of their courage, it really is inspiring what they have been through. It’s a goosebump moment!” she said.

The event will take place between the Bay of Plenty Amphitheatre and uShaka Marine World.

“This fun run is aimed at creating awareness about living a healthy lifestyle and the realisation that everyone can make a difference in the fight against cancer. By ensuring your family has a healthier diet, exercises more regularly, applying sunscreen and even by volunteering at CANSA, people can make a difference. CANSA Active is about finding fun forms of exercise, outdoors, to get the blood flowing,” said Tess Tjasink, CANSA Active co-ordinator for KZN.

Registration takes place at 7am and the race starts at 8am. There will also be a nurse doing mole mapping and skin screening at the event.

If you register through www.quicket.co.za, take a screenshot or proof of entry with you to the event.

Cost is R20 for children excluding a CANSA wrap, R50 for children including a CANSA wrap, R50 for adults excluding a CANSA wrap and R80 for adults including a CANSA wrap.

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