Paddlers race for Cancer Care at Hansa Powerade Fish

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Tuesday, 14 September 2010 14:15

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Paddlers race for Cancer Care at Hansa Powerade Fish

The massive field of paddlers expected for the Hansa Powerade Fish River canoe marathon on 1 and 2 October will pull together to raise funds for the Cradock Cancer Care Unit by racing in special pink caps, and supporting the unique K4 craft that will champion the fundraising drive.

At last year’s event, the first-ever K4 canoe to attempt the 82km race was given special permission to take part to raise funds for the local cancer care unit, after they became aware of the plight local cancer patients have to suffer due to the lack of local treatment facilities.

Grant Van Greune, Clive Goble, his daughter Jessica Goble and Minnar Lyell initiated the project last year and through sponsorships for their pioneering K4 completing the race, and paddlers support through haircuts, the sale of pink ribbons and boat raffles, they set out to raise R100 000 for the local cancer care unit.

At the end of the race they had raised just over half that amount, and pledged to resume the fundraiser in 2010 to finish off what they had started.

With the support of the race committee, they are appealing to paddlers taking part in the race to purchase one of the special pink caps to wear during the race, to make a bold statement on behalf of the canoeing fraternity in support of the fight against cancer.

1 October - the first day of the two day race - is national breast cancer day, and the race committee gladly threw its weight behind the paddlers desire to align themselves with the CANSA Association awareness programme.

"Many of the paddlers have been affected by cancer in some way or another, and it is so encouraging to see this initiative come from the paddlers and their clubs," said race committee chair Louis Copeman.

"Cancer sufferers in this region have a real problem because there is a desperate shortage of cancer care facilities," he added. "Many of them have to drive to Port Elizabeth, three hours each way, to get treatment."

"We felt that whatever the paddler contribute during their weekend in Cradock will make a huge difference to the locals who are struggling with the disease," he added.

1000 of the special pink caps with a distinctive race logo that includes a pink ribbon will be sold for R70 at the race registration. "I sincerely appeal to each and every paddler to arrive at registration with R70 in their hand to get one of these caps," said Copeman.

"Let’s turn the Fish river pink for two days and make it clear that the athletes and their seconds support the fight against cancer, and will leave behind a lasting legacy in Cradock long after everyone has packed up and gone home after the race," he added.

For the K4 crew the race has special significance, as the fundraising drive will assist friends in Cradock who are directly affected by the shortage of cancer care facilities.

However they have another motive for returning this year. Despite three attempts, they were unable to successfully shoot the massive Cradock weir near the end of the second day.

"By and large the K4 did pretty well throughout the race, and we were sure we would be able to get Cradock right," said Van Greune. "When we fell out the first time, we all agreed to take our time and go back and try again. But last year Cradock weir had the better of us."

"We have the same crew, and the same pink K4, but this year the outcome at Cradock weir will be different," he vowed.

The Hansa Powerade Fish river canoe marathon takes place in Cradock on 1 and 2 October. More information can be found at www.fishmarathon.org.za