PinkDrive cyclist passes through Sandton to raise awareness
MORNINGSIDE - In a bid to raise money and awareness for PinkDrive, a cancer awareness campaign, a cyclist has decided to ride to various towns covering about 3 500km, encouraging people to get tested.
Rick Budai (50) rode through Sandton and made a stop in Morningside to spread the word, and to raise funds. His mission is to touch as many lives as he can by sharing his personal story as a breast cancer husband. Budai’s wife, Carolyn, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer last year.
“That was the turning point in both our lives,” said Budai.
Carolyn has since had a single mastectomy, gone through chemotherapy and radiology, and today she is cancer free. However, Budai believes that had they found the cancer earlier, it would have made a huge difference.
Since then, Budai has aligned his cause to ride with PinkDrive because he believes that early detection saves lives. “If through this initiative I can get even one person to get tested, I would have served my purpose,” he said.
Budai’s official cycle journey kicked off in September and will be carried out in 38 stages.
He will have four rest days during his epic journey. Budai started from Nelspruit, moved on to Mpumalanga and is expected to finish in Cape Town on 14 October.
On his journey, he is being accompanied by his best friend, David Lasarow, who lost his parents to cancer. Lasarow is driving the back-up vehicle.
All breast cancer husbands and other riders who support the cause, and would like to join and ride at any particular stage of the journey, are encouraged to participate and support the PinkDrive cause.
Details: pr@pinkdrive.co.za; 073 466 4557; www.pinkdrivestagecycletour.com
