Walk the extra mile for a good cause

Community members are invited to support the first annual One Step at a Time Cancer Warrior Walk at Johannesburg Zoo to commemorate World Cancer Day on February 4.

Organises Breast Health Foundation encourages all of those who wish to pledge their support for the day to participate in the event.

The Breast Health Foundation is a non-profit organisation established in April 2002 in partnership with several companies and organisations to educate the public on breast cancer and breast health, increase awareness of the disease and empower women.

Louise Turner, chief operations officer of the foundation, said the walk aims to pay homage to and express solidarity with “Cancer Warriors”, or those who are fighting, or have fought, cancer.

“We invite those whose lives have in some way been touched by cancer, or who simply wish to honour those who have been impacted by this condition, to join us for the scenic 5km walk through the zoo,” said Turner.

“World Cancer Day is the ideal opportunity to raise awareness around this disease. It is for this reason that we are partnering with Cancer Alliance, a group of cancer control and advocate non-profit organisations which Breast Health Foundation is a member of, in hosting this walk.

“The One Step at a Time initiative came out of an undertaking in which five breast cancer survivors trekked to the Everest Base Camp in 2016. The five women showed a warrior spirit during the trek and demonstrated the triumph of the human spirit.”

According to Turner, the foundation advocates wellness and the event highlights the important role that exercise can play in supporting long-term health. Walking is an ideal form of exercise that can be enjoyed by the survivors, their families and supporters.

“The event has been made possible by the generosity of long-standing supporters of the foundation such as Netcare and the sponsorship of Universal Healthcare and CompCare Wellness Medical Scheme, Lancet Laboratories and Medipost Pharmacy.

Netcare 911 has also stepped forward to offer emergency medical services support for the event, for which we are most grateful,” said Turner.

The One Step at a Time Cancer Warrior Walk will be held between 7.30am and 1pm at the zoo situated on Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkview.

Gates open at 6am and a R100 fee is payable per participant, which will be used to support the Breast Health Foundation. Tickets should be purchased through Quicket prior to the event.

Participants are welcome to enter as teams and will be able to visit the wellness village to obtain further information, enter a raffle draw, enjoy food trucks and be provided with the opportunity to express their support for the Cancer Warriors.