Glenwood High School dons purple Speedos for cancer awareness run

STAFF and learners from Glenwood High School will be among the thousands of males across South Africa to take to the streets in purple Speedos for the Hollard Daredevil Run today, Friday, September 30. This annual 5km run is held to raise awareness and funds, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa.

For Glenwood High School educator Nicholas Tyler, awareness is key for boys and men.
“It creates awareness around male cancers in particular. We have about 20 boys who have registered to take part,” said Tyler.

The school takes part for the second year in a row this year. While breast cancer awareness has grown dramatically in recent years, there is a need for greater awareness of male cancers.

“There is very little awareness around testicular and prostate cancer. While breast cancer has been accepted, with people talking about it, men aren’t there yet – you don’t talk about getting prostate cancer or testicular cancer. There’s an idea that you are less of a man if you have cancer – which is just not the case,” said Tyler.

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Through the run, learners will also share in the camaraderie that forms part of the school’s ethos.
“Cancer has touched a lot of us. This is something men can do for other men, which ties in to the ethos of what we are trying to accomplish – to build positive identities in our learners,” said Tyler.

More about the run

Heidi Brauer, chief marketing officer for Hollard, said the Hollard Daredevil Run has become a nationwide phenomenon since it first started in 2009, raising eyebrows and raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancer.

“The act of stripping down to nothing but a Speedo is not only challenging for runners but also challenges stereotypes about male cancers. It takes courage to strip down to a Speedo and run in public – but that’s the whole idea,” she says.

Men and boys from every corner of South Africa can participate in their own neighbourhoods to raise funds for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa.

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“The Prostate Cancer Foundation has been one of the beneficiaries of the Hollard Daredevil Run since 2018. The latest projections show that prostate cancer will be the most common cancer in South Africa by 2030, so events that raise awareness about the disease are crucial. The Hollard Daredevil Run has become the leading event that focuses on male-specific cancers,” said Andrew Oberholzer, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa.

Gerda Strauss, head of service delivery for CANSA, says many men are reluctant to talk about health issues or to seek professional help.
“Increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of various cancers and offering advice on how to adopt a healthier lifestyle will help empower men to take control of their own health, lower their risk of cancer and encourage earlier detection,” she says.

Joani Sadie, corporate relationship coordinator at CANSA, added that this year’s run marks the seventh year of CANSA and Hollard’s partnership.
“Early detection and education save lives, and we can continue to raise awareness and offer lifesaving screenings through the support we receive from the Hollard Daredevil Run,” she said.