WATCH: Boksburg’s PG Park Cansa Relay raises R400 000

The 2018 East Rand Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) Relay for Life raised around R400 000.

The fun-filled seventh Cansa relay, themed “Disney”, started at 6pm on the Friday and ran until 6am the following day.

The relay’s primary aim was to raise awareness of cancer and raise funds to fight the disease.

The event kicked off with a prayer before bikers rode around the track. This was followed by a Survivor’s Lap of Honour. The survivors were then joined by hundreds of registered team members who participated, many for the full 12 hours of walking around the track.

Watch: Hundreds walk the track in support of Cansa

Teams of co-workers, families and friends committed to keeping at least one member walking the track at all times – this is because, according to Cansa, the disease never sleeps.

Each team member paid a registration fee of R100 and children aged from six to 12 paid a R50 registration fee.

Burning candles in luminaria bags, with photos of survivors and those who lost the battle with cancer, circled the track.

Cansa and SANBS mobile units were also at the event. People had the opportunity to donate blood, and Cansa professional nurses carried out breast examinations, mole analysis, PSA finger-prick test for prostate cancer and blood pressure test.

Programmes

The money raised at the event will fund services, including support centres throughout the country, mobile units that offer screening services to the public, medical equipment hire, toll-free line and support to children and their families affected by cancer through the various Cansa programmes.

This year’s main sponsors included Nando’s, which donated money and sponsored food for the survivors; Barloworld Power, which sponsored generators used to supply the stalls with power and the additional lighting; Boksburg Rugby Club committee, who helped with arrangements, including negotiating the discounted price for use of the venue; Ekurhuleni metro, which made the venue available at a discounted price; and Sir Fruit, which sponsored juices for the survivors.

The Boksburg CPF helped to secure the venue to ensure everyone was safe.

One of the Cansa Relay for Life organisers, Yolandi Jacobs, described the relay as one that, since its inception, had been a massive success, with people, including local businesses, coming in their numbers to support the charity event.

Jacobs, on behalf of the organising team, thanked all the sponsors and the teams which came to support the community-owned event. “We look forward to raising more money for Cansa during the 2019 Cansa Relay for life. -@MthuphaFanie