CANSA invites you to Relay for Life on 5 June

Monday, 30 May 2011 14:15

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Honouring Survivors for 80 Years

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has been honouring and caring for cancer survivors for the past 80 years. As part of International Cancer Survivor's Day on Sunday 5 June 2011, CANSA is encouraging all South Africans to celebrate hope and life with survivors and their families with a special day of hope, support and nurturing.

"A cancer survivor is anyone who has heard the words you have cancer at any stage in their life," says Sue Janse Van Rensburg, CANSA's CEO and a cancer survivor of 27 years. "Our purpose is to empower survivors to fight back during their cancer journey and to make them realise that they are not alone after their initial treatment is over."

CANSA's wide-reaching health programme includes prevention and education campaigns, patient care and support  they continue to help cancer survivors and their family and friends by providing support through Cancer Care Centres that offer stoma and lymphoedema clinics, day-care services, support groups and interim home services.

CANSA facilitate special programmes where cancer survivors are honoured and celebrated such as CANSA Relay For Life - a gathering that celebrates the lives of those who are survivors as well as those who lost the battle. Its a fun-filled, overnight get-together by a community that mobilises cancer survivors and corporate companies throughout the country to celebrate survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones that have passed away from cancer and raise money for the fight against cancer.

Van Rensburg explains "Relay For Life is a great way to honour and remember survivors as well get involved in the fight against cancer. We host Relay events in every Province in South Africa and we invite you all to take part and show your support."

In celebration of their 80th Anniversary, CANSA is hosting the first Corporate Relay For Life on 3 & 4 September in Pretoria. "Cancer survivors and colleagues work side-by-side daily and may not know that colleagues are cancer survivors. And by all of us taking part by entering a team at a Relay event in our community, we showing our support and commitment to fighting back against cancer." she concluded.

At Relay, team members take turns to walk or run around a track for 12 to 14 hours. Participants enjoy camping-out, entertainment, good food, games and team building. People who join all share a common purpose - to help CANSA in the fight against cancer. Funds raised at this Relay event is used to fight cancer country-wide by assisting CANSA to provide their service to all communities.

There are many survivors who have a powerful testimony of survival and strength to share with others undergoing the same journey. CANSA invites all survivors and caregivers to share their message of hope and moments of strength with others facing the same challenges.  

Visit www.cansa.org.za and join the Champions of Hope Facebook community or call CANSA toll-free on 0800 22 66 22 for info on local events and activities.  

Corporates celebrate life with cancer survivors!

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) partnered with corporates in May in Pretoria to 'celebrate life' with cancer survivors at the launch for the first CANSA Corporate Relay For Life in South Africa taking place from the evening of 3rd September to the morning of 4th September 2011 at DENEL Properties Irene Campus (official venue sponsor 2011).

"A cancer survivor is anyone who has heard the words you have cancer at any stage in their life," explained Sue Janse Van Rensburg, CANSAs CEO and a cancer survivor of 27 years to guests attending the launch evening. "Not only is Relay a great way for Corporate South Africa to honour and remember survivors, but also to show their support and commitment in fighting back against cancer."

Karin Metz, CANSA Relay For Life Event Chair added "We had 27 companies attending this launch and so far 48 corporate teams have entered to take part that evening. Cancer survivors and colleagues work side-by-side daily and may not know that colleagues are cancer survivors. This Corporate Relay event will give a 'face and voice' for cancer survivors as well as an opportunity for corporates and workplaces to show their support by committing to fight back against cancer and help South Africans know that they can beat cancer."  

Entertainment was provided by PJ Cruz, Steven Sterling and Ryan Walt with the theme of 'celebrate life'. "Jakkie Louw, Elvis Blue, Tiro and Kevin Leo have also committed their support and will join us on the night of the 3rd September to take up the fight against cancer by providing entertainment," said Van Rensburg.

CANSA Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilises cancer survivors and corporate companies throughout the country to celebrate survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones that have passed away from cancer and raise money for the fight against cancer.

If you would like to enter a team and be a team captain or get involved with Relay For Life contact Dalene van Rooyen on dvrooyen@cansa.org.za or call 012 329 3036.

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