Running for boobies

The thing about running is that it’s more than just achieving your personal fitness goals on the road. Most of the time, running is a social experience and there’s always someone to give you advice and help you along. Very often the idea of ‘giving help’ extends much further than to just the runners around you.

Michelle Damand originally started running as a way to get out and get active. That has since blossomed into more – a way to help people all across the country, especially when she became an ambassador for the ILoveBoobies organisation in 2020.

“They usually go to rural farming communities and often make base on one farm of which the owner will invite the neighbouring farms’ female workers to have their blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate and lung capacity tested, and be advised on areas of risk. Each woman undergoes a clinical breast examination by a registered nurse and, afterwards, is gifted with a pair of ILoveBoobies socks, hoping that this will serve as a reminder to check her breasts each time she wears the socks,” she explained.

As part of her annual fundraising efforts, Michelle spent the first three days of October on the road, braving the sudden heavy rainfall during the early mornings as she took on three half-marathons to raise money.

“On day one, my support group and I were set to start at 6am sharp. We started in the pouring rain and ran all the way from Noordheuwel Country Club to the Town Lodge Hotel in Constantia Kloof. This was the only day I ran 21km on the dot, and my moving time was 2:13:58 with an average pace of 6:23 minutes per kilometre.

“On day two we started at 5am and it was quite humid and misty. We ran all the way from Noordheuwel to the Run Zone Athletics Club in Northcliff and ended up doing 21,84km. I have to admit that this is one of the more difficult routes in Krugersdorp to run.

“On day three I woke up to a clear sky, and we did an out-and-back run in the Cradle of Humankind area. It wasn’t an easy route and had lots of rolling hills. Once we reached the turning point it became more of a mental challenge than physical, seeing the hills waiting ahead. I conquered the route and ended up doing 22,79km at an average pace of 5:55 minutes/km.”

Michelle wanted to be as visible as possible throughout the runs to help create awareness for ILoveBoobies, hoping to steer people toward her fundraising campaign on the GivenGain online platform.

Through the three half-marathons Michelle raised just over R18 500, just short of her R20 000 goal, and she asked that the community consider donating to the cause throughout October.

“It costs approximately R250 to screen one woman, therefore ILoveBoobies will be able to help 80 women with the R20 000. I feel that there is so much more to be done for women to get screened for breast cancer, especially in the rural areas. In these communities, it’s common that the men leave the small towns to work in the cities. If the mother is sick or she dies, it places an enormous burden on the community to step up. Therefore, the women have to have access to healthcare. By supporting and creating awareness around a non-profit company like ILoveBoobies, I am contributing to a lasting impact. Besides, it gives my running (and sometimes suffering) a purpose, and it’s exciting to run for a good cause.”

To support the project, visit https://www.givengain.com/ap/michelle-damand-raising-funds-for-iloveboobies-za-npc-40237/