Culmination of efforts of running Daredevils
PARKTOWN – Prostate Cancer Foundation CEO Andrew Oberholzer said that events like this are critical to generating educational opportunities on a national level for men and boys.
A cheque for R400 000 was handed over to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa on February 10.
The cheque is the result of efforts made by more than 2 000 men who ran through the streets in their Speedos as part of the Hollard Daredevil Run in 2021.
Last year was the first-ever Covid-19 edition of the event, with participants running alone or in small groups across the country.
Chief marketing officer at Hollard Heidi Brauer said, “We are so proud of what our 2021 run achieved at such a challenging time for mass participation events… We reached hundreds of thousands of eyeballs, we initiated important awareness about prostate and testicular cancer, and we raised proceeds towards awareness and screening of these male cancers.
“When we assist in these cancers being caught early, we enable better futures not only for the men whose chances of survival are increased, but also for their families and loved ones.”
Brauer said prostate cancer was the second-most common cancer in men. If detected early, men have a 95% chance of being cured. The incidence of testicular cancer, which primarily affects young men between the ages of 15 and 40, has doubled in the past 50 years, necessitating early detection.
Prostate Cancer Foundation CEO Andrew Oberholzer said events such as these were critical to generating educational opportunities on a national level for men and boys.
“The fun element of running through the streets in a Speedo helps to attract men who would not necessarily have participated in a pure ‘health education’ type of event. The balance between fun and education helps to reach a much broader spectrum of men.”
Oberholzer said the funds raised would be used to assist with resources for educational campaigns including a helpline to assist men and their families who were dealing with a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Olivia Curlewis of Cansa said the funds would be used to continue their education and screening initiatives in 2022.
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