Relay4Life raises R153 000 for CANSA

After almost two years of absence, CANSA Relay For Life Witbank is back and promises to be bigger and better in 2016.
On March 7, 500 people joined forces and walked the track all in fight against cancer in the 2015 CANSA Relay For Life.
Highveld Mall, proud partner of Cansa Care Centre Highveld, was the venue host for this year’s Relay For Life.
“The venue was perfect – it was safe, secure and everyone felt right at home in the undercover parking,” said Andries du Preez, Relay For Life organiser.

Neither rain nor snow could spoil the event or the atmosphere of the teams that entered Relay For Life.
The event started off with the Survivors Tea at Rostveld Coffee where the 2015 Hero of Hope was announced and was no one else that the inspiring, dedicated, positive, beautiful Retha Pretorius who is currently fighting cancer again.
The actual Relay For Life had an opening with a survivors’ lap and caregivers’ lap before the teams took to the track. Later that evening during the luminaria ceremony, teams had the privilege to light up a luminaria bag in remembrance of those they have lost or are busy fighting cancer.
As Josh Groban’s ‘You Raised Me Up’ played, many tears were shed Andries du Preez, CANSA Staff Partner for Relay For Life, described the Luminaria as the heart of Relay.

At midnight the teams had a Chinese lantern ceremony where hundreds of Chinese lanterns with hand written messages were sent up in to the beautiful clear sky decorated with the bright full moon, celebrating a new day.
At 3:00 the teams had a Fight Back Ceremony where each team captain got ‘diagnosed with a type a cancer’, the team then had to research the cancer on the internet and make a banner whereupon they had to give feedback, symptoms, and treatment for that type of cancer.
Sr. Constance Kent (Medical Sister for CANSA Highveld Care Centre) gave some input and feedback on the types of cancers that educated the walkers.

At sunrise there was still close to 450 people on the track, with no doubt the venue, vibe keeping everyone going. The entire 12 hours were filled with capacity and it was surely a highlight for 2015.
Rotary Witbank were awarded for being the first team to enter, Team Paulie raised the most funds, Team Mama Lisa were dubbed the most creative team, Walking Warriors had the best theme and Curro Bankenveld Matrics 2015 were the most supportive team.
Dante Marriot and Johan Koen were chosen as Mr Junior and Mr Senior Relay for Liferespectively, while Danika Emmerich, Katinke Visagie and Heike Hartzenberg were chosen as Miss Relay for Life.
“With no doubt Witbank’s blood is purple as we have raised R153 000,” said Andries.

A special thank you goes out to Rostveld Coffee for the wonderful Survivors’ Tea, Highveld Mall for hosting the 2015 Relay For Life, Rian Heyns (Safety Officer) and his very dedicated team who took care of all the rules and regulations and taking care of the participants’ safety, AMA Promotions for the Sound and Lighting and 2015 committee members.
To the 2015 teams, thank you for fighting cancer one step at a time, contributors and partners for believing in CANSA and for supporting this event. The entertainers, thank you for giving top class entertainment throughout the night and early morning hours. WITBANK NEWS, COSMOS GAZETE – thank you for all your endless support in the newspapers.

To each and every person who contributed, attended and believed in this event, Cansa says thank you.