Breast cancer survivor takes on Durban beachfront to raise awareness

BREAST cancer warrior, Gisele Braam Houpe, took on a physically gruelling 5km walk on the Durban beachfront on Sunday, to raise funds and awareness for PinkDrive.

Gisele, aided by a walker, took on the walk accompanied by friends, Janice Benecke from PinkDrive and Debbie Hall and a group of supporters.

Speaking about the walk, Janice said: “Gisele did very well and we at PinkDrive are extremely proud of her. Even though she was sore and tired she just would not give up. I even offered to push her, but she stood firm. PinkDrive would like to thank all the media for the attention that this received for Gisele’s quest to raise funds and the public really got into the spirit and gave freely.”

Gisele said she had an amazing morning finishing the 5km walk for PinkDrive.

“How do I possibly put into words what I’m feeling. Every single step was such a blessing and for such a worthy cause. Thank you each and every one who has supported and made deposits into the PinkDrive account and for donations on the morning during the walk. Thank you to everyone that walked with me this morning and for memories that I will cherish forever,” she said.

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She also thanked Debbie for stepping in as her nurse on the morning and to Janice for all her organising, support and for spreading the awareness.

“I am tired and my body so very sore but I haven’t felt more alive. Every step was for a good cause, and for all those warriors fighting, you don’t fight alone each step was to salute you too,” she said.

Philip Lanz, teacher in charge of the Thomas More College Community and Social Partnership (CSP) programme, said the school supports a lot of worthwhile projects in the community.

“The PinkDrive is one of those projects and we also have a personal connection with Gisele, who was a staff member and looked after our children at aftercare. Under normal circumstances we would have hoped to have pupils walking with Gisele to support her. There were a couple of us there and we will make a donation to the PinkDrive cause. We would like to congratulate Gisele and all those from PinkDrive and all the other supporters on a phenomenal effort in driving and completing this initiative,” he said.

On the day the group raised R7 500 cash, and they have received donations into PinkDrive’s bank. Janice said they were hoping to get around the R15 000 mark.

If you would like to make a donation to help reach the target, make a deposit into the following account: PinkDrive T/A PinkDrive Events, bank: Nedbank Ltd, account no: 1825011109, branch: Nicolway, reference: Gisele.Contact Janice on 082 557 3079.

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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.

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