Pink ODI
ILLOVO –The one-day international (ODI) is held at the Wanderers Stadium each year where fans and the Proteas cricket team wear pink and raise money and awareness for this cause.
Breast cancer will once again be hit for a six when South Africa takes on England in the ninth annual #PinkDay.
The one-day international (ODI) is held at the Wanderers Stadium each year where fans and the Proteas cricket team wear pink and raise money and awareness for this cause.
All proceeds raised go to the breast care unit at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital. #PinkDay will take place in the third ODI between SA and the World Cup champions on 9 February.
Breast cancer experts, sponsors and cricket dignitaries met media at the launch for the event at the Cricket South Africa offices in Melrose on 1 October, where they encouraged the community to support the event. “We have the biggest cancer centre in South Africa and perhaps even in Africa,” said the hospital’s CEO, Gladys Bogoshi.
“Every Friday we see over 100 patients at the breast cancer clinic and about six are diagnosed each week.”
She added that there is a need for R600 million to upgrade machines in the oncology department.
Central Gauteng Lions CEO, Jono Leaf-Wright said R5 million has been raised from the #PinkDay in the last five years.
Kugandrie Govender, Cricket South Africa’s chief commercial officer added, “The #PinkDay is an iconic event on the South African and international sport calendar. Breast cancer has plagued South Africa and we as Cricket South Africa are proud to raise awareness about this disease.”
She also thanked the cricketing boards of England and Wales, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and West Indies for their support and participation in the event.
South Africa has won eight of the nine #PinkDay matches, with the team’s first loss coming in January this year against Pakistan. “We have only lost once in eight years so they [England] can come with their world cup trophy and their Barmy Army and we will come with our team and show them what #PinkDay means to us,” Leaf-Wright added.
Head of events and sponsorships for Momentum, Carel Bosman stressed that early detection of breast cancer can save lives, hence, the more awareness breast cancer can have the better.
Related articles:
WATCH: Charlotte Maxeke Hospital staff support #PinkWalk for breast cancer
