Purple speedos cover Zoo Lake for prostate cancer awareness

Men of all ages, shapes and sizes took to the streets for the well-supported Hollard Daredevil Run.

The run saw daredevils wearing nothing but purple speedos to support male cancer awareness in Johannesburg at Zoo Lake, Cape Town, Durban and Mbombela.

The 5km run marked the eighth year of men stripping down for a good cause and, for the second time in daredevil history, the event took place on the same day at four venues across the country.

The event collectively raised close to R500 000 for The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), funding the Hollard ManVan – a mobile health clinic which travels to remote areas throughout South Africa to reach men who would otherwise not have access to cancer-related education and screening.

“It’s fantastic to see the growth of the Hollard Daredevil Run each year, and more importantly, that it grows as a platform to educate South Africans about male cancers. We are so proud of this spectacular event and look forward to painting the town purple again next year,” said Heidi Brauer, chief marketing officer at Hollard.

Read Hollard Daredevil Run to raise awareness about testicular and prostate cancer

The annual Hollard Daredevil Run promotes the action of regular examination to enable early detection of male cancers as a way to save lives. Free Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tests were provided to all daredevils over 40 who took part in the run.

“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among men in South Africa, but we know that catching it early enough greatly improves the chances of survival and effective treatment,” commented Lucy Balona, head of marketing and communication at Cansa.

“With 267 PSA tests performed on and before run day, the daredevil campaign has certainly made a positive impact on the level of cancer awareness in South Africa.”

Wentzel Koen, a runner, said he was glad to be part of the run because he felt that it was a great cause for men and it created good team spirit for the men involved in the run.

Edited by Stacey Woensdregt

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