Scores of people painted the Summerstrand beach front pink on Saturday the 26 of October 2019 taking part in the annual 5 km Algoa FM Big walk for Cancer which was presented by the Eastern Cape Department of Health. The department is in its 5th year of partnership with Algoa FM which has benefitted thousands of cancer patients in the province.
Participants from across the province came in numbers to take part in this prestigious event in support of family members and friends who are affected by cancer. The 2019 Big Walk for Cancer recorded a crowd of 13 171 participants.
The walk was kick-started with pre- event activations which took place in Graaf Reinett, Maclear and Peddie where a cancer awareness drive was done, with health workers offering free health screenings to the general public. The health services rendered included cancer screenings (Pap smears, breast examination and prostate) HIV, TB, Blood Pressure, Glucose/ Sugar diabetes and Cholesterol testing.
The MEC for Health in the Eastern Cape Ms Sindiswa Gomba when addressing the participants before the walk said their participation added a voice in the fight against cancer. She further encouraged them to make sure that they get screened for cancer for early detection, diagnosis and treatment.
MEC Gomba was joined in the walk against cancer by her counterpart, MEC for Social Development in the Eastern Cape Ms Siphokazi Mani Lusithi and Speaker of the Provincial Legislature Ms Helen Sauls – August.
The beneficiaries for the 2019 Big Walk for Cancer is Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), a leader in the fight against cancer in SA since 1931 with a purpose of offering a unique, integrated service to the public and to all people affected by cancer; and Heatherbank Primary School, an NPO for underprivileged children from the Walmer Township – Port Elizabeth, which currently educates, feeds and transports 48 children daily.
Heatherbank Primary will use the funds received to purchase a vehicle to transport cancer sufferers to facilities in order to get treatment.
S.Madyibi
