Pinkies men run 5km for cancer awareness

Friday, September 30 saw a group of brave Florida Running Club men in purple Speedos take to the streets of Discovery to run cancer out of their neighbourhood.

The runners, joined by Record journalist Thabisile Mgwali started their challenge at the club’s home base at the Discovery Bowling Club.

“Wow guys, you outdid yourselves. Great turnout for an incredible cause, well done to all of you,” said Florida Running Club chairperson Wendy Joubert.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer affecting males between the ages of 15 and 35.

Prostate cancer affects as many as one in six men and is predicted to become the most common cancer in South Africa by 2030.

Perhaps more alarming is the fact that black African men have a 60% higher risk of developing prostate cancer than their white counterparts.

Early detection, however, dramatically increases the odds of fully recovering from these cancers and can save lives.

Raising awareness about the importance of early detection is exactly why thousands of men, dressed only in their purple Speedos, gathered on the day for the Hollard Daredevil Run.

“Running in just a Speedo is something that asks a lot of men, more than most people understand. But dealing with cancer asks a great deal more.

“And that’s part of why this platform works so well in helping people understand the importance of catching these cancers early,” said Warwick Bloom, head of PR and internal marketing at the Hollard Group.

This annual 5km run has become a nationwide phenomenon, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa.

“Increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of various cancers and offering advice on how to adopt a healthier lifestyle help to empower men to take control of their own health, lower their risk of cancer and encourage earlier detection,” said Gerda Strauss, Head of Service Delivery for CANSA.

According to the CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa, Andrew Oberholzer, these events are critical as they generate massive educational opportunities on a national level to educate men and boys about prostate and testicular cancer.

Increasing the event’s reach this year is the fact that men were invited to run anywhere in any province in South Africa.

Neighbourhoods, schools, corporates and sports clubs arranged numerous runs across the country.

Over 3 000 men took part at Zoo Lake, with numbers from around the country taking the tally of brave daredevils up to 5 000.