Fourth Avenue found itself drenched in the colour pink and even the boys, as well as the ladies, proudly donned their bras to walk (or run, if they preferred) along the stretch of road from Thirteenth to Sixth streets and back again.
The Bidvest Pink Drive mobile mammogram unit was also parked outside the venue and offered free testing for those ladies who wanted to make sure there are no lumps or bumps that shouldn’t be there.
Jo Pinheiro, co-owner of Craft, explained that it is the second year that the restaurant has run the event and they are committed to doing it every year for the foreseeable future.
“We feel that it’s necessary to do all that we can to spread awareness of breast cancer and emphasise the importance of early detection and getting tested regularly,” said Pinheiro with a hint of sadness to his voice.
“This cause is very dear to me because I lost my wife, Liz, to the disease early in October after she had been struggling with it for the last six years.”
Gail Frankiskos attended the Bra Run with a group of friends in support of Anne Mari van Wyk who had to undergo a mastectomy on 30 October at the tender age of 27. Van Wyk runs Jade Jewellery on Fourth Avenue and was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer at the beginning of October.
“She is such an inspiration to us,” Frankiskos said as she spoke fondly of her friend.
Watch a video from the run below:
“Her diagnosis made us realise that instead of being self-conscious of our bodies, we should celebrate being women and be proud of all our curves because there are more important things in life than worrying about our looks. I mean, she is fighting cancer and she made us realise how lucky we truly are to be healthy women.”
Details: www.pinkdrive.co.za
