WATCH: Middelburg rallies for hope at CANSA Relay For Life
Teams, survivors and supporters took part in the overnight MIDWIT CANSA Relay For Life in Middelburg, celebrating survivors, remembering loved ones and raising awareness in the fight against cancer.
Middelburg once again showed its strong community spirit when residents gathered for the annual MIDWIT CANSA Relay For Life held at the Midwater Centre last weekend.
A night of hope and remembrance
Everybody walked through the night during the 12-hour relay, which started at 18:00 on March 7 and concluded at 06:00 the following morning. About 20 teams, comprising roughly 300 participants, took part in the event.
According to Andries du Preez (CANSA Staff Partner, Mpumalanga), the relay is a community-driven experience where teams walk around a track throughout the night to symbolise the ongoing fight against cancer. The event celebrates cancer survivors, honours those who have lost their lives to the disease and raises funds for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
@middelburgobserver Tears flowed during the moving luminaria ceremony at the yearly CANSA Relay For Life in Middelburg, where candles of hope were lit for those bravely battling cancer and in remembrance of loved ones lost. CANSARelayForLife, Middelburg, MiddelburgObserver, LuminariaCeremony, RiseTogetherAgainstCancer, CancerAwareness, RememberingLovedOnes, MidwaterCentre
A global movement
Relay For Life began in May 1985 when colorectal surgeon Dr Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington, covering more than 83 miles and raising $27 000 for the American Cancer Society.
Today the relay has grown into an internationally recognised movement involving communities in about 20 countries, all sharing the same goal of eradicating cancer.
In South Africa, the first Relay For Life events were introduced in 2005 and there are currently 11 events held nationwide. Middelburg has been hosting the relay for 16 years and will mark its 17th year in 2027.
@middelburgobserver The yearly CANSA Relay For Life Midwit kicked off at 18:00 under the undercover parking at Midwater Centre in Middelburg. This year’s theme, ‘Rise Together Against Cancer,’ brings the community together to honour survivors, remember loved ones, and support those still fighting. CANSARelayForLife, RiseTogetherAgainstCancer, MiddelburgObserver, CommunityStrong, CancerAwareness, CANSA
Du Preez, a well-known figure in the local community, took on the role as CANSA staff partner 13 years ago and has helped guide the event through various challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the relay has become smaller over the years, he says the community’s passion for the event remains strong.
A personal journey
Du Preez said his own involvement with CANSA started in 2010 when he signed up as a volunteer and helped roll out national projects locally, including the Pink Run, Shavathon and the Cuppa for CANSA campaign.
He later joined the relay’s 12-hour walk and said that at his first event he did not fully understand the deeper meaning behind it.
“I initially saw it as an overnight camping experience, but I was amazed when I realised what this sacred event symbolises,” he said.
Du Preez added that cancer has touched his life personally. In 2019 his father was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Thanks to the training he received through CANSA, he was able to step into the role of caregiver and support his father during his final months.
Over the years he has also met many people on the relay track who have become survivors and caregivers, while others are remembered each year during the candle-lighting ceremonies.
Support from the oncology community
This year Sister Adelaide Khoza from the provincial oncology services attended the relay with some of her cancer survivors. Du Preez said they share a strong working relationship aimed at supporting patients and raising awareness.
Additional support was also received from fellow non-profit organisation Bettie Bandana, which provides headwear to cancer patients experiencing hair loss during treatment.
Care home for Mpumalanga patients
Du Preez also shared exciting news that Mpumalanga will soon receive its own CANSA Care Home.
The facility, which will be based in Nelspruit near Rob Ferreira Hospital, will provide affordable ‘home-away-from-home’ accommodation for cancer patients who live far from treatment centres.
CANSA Care Homes offer accommodation, nutritious meals and transport to treatment for patients undergoing therapies such as radiotherapy, with the average stay lasting around six weeks.
Looking ahead
The next CANSA Relay For Life in Middelburg is already being planned and will take place on March 6 and 7 next year.
Residents who would like to join the organising committee or host their own CANSA event, such as a tea party, sporting event, social gathering or Shavathon, are encouraged to get involved.
For more information, contact Andries via email on adupreez@cansa.org.za or on 072 248 9424.
