Gendraj Lall-Jay Harripersad (Lall) is the inspiration behind Estcourt’s 24-hour CAN/SA Relay for Life. In September 1998 life took a turn for the worst for Mr Harripersad when he was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. Overall, the 51-year-old was a healthy person. He was an active sportsman during his school years at Ester Payne Smith Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg. “I represented my school and province at athletics, soccer, cricket and volleyball,” recalled Mr Harripersad.

And to this day makes it his duty to keep fit and healthy. Mr Harripersad’s mornings begin with a jog.
Mr Harripersad is a Senior Financial Management Officer at Estcourt Provincial Hospital. He control’s and budgets the expenditure of the hospital and its nine clinics. When asked what Mr Harripersad loves most about his job he answered “I love the challenge of balancing the budgets and the pressure of meeting deadlines.”

When Mr Harripersad isn’t balancing budgets you would find him tending to odd bits at home as he described himself as a “handyman”. When time permits Mr Harripersad enjoys fishing and watching sports especially horse racing on the telly. “I was operated on in October 1998 and when I went in for my six-week treatment it was discovered that the cancer had now spread to my colon. I went back six months later and it was discovered I now had diabetes as well.”
Mr Harripersad admits that at first the news got him down but he was determined to fight the fight. As a youngster I always had a dream to run the Comrades Marathon,” he said.

In 1999 Mr Harripersad told his doctor about his childhood dream. “He told me nobody in my condition has ever attempted that. “I came home and thought about it and decided to go ahead with my dream. With seven months of training I completed the 2000 Comrades Marathon”. This go-getter has completed 14 Two Oceans Marathons and a number of other marathons countrywide.

“During my recuperation phase I had a lot of time on my hands. So I thought about my family I had to take care of, sons Shoneil and Nickeal who needed a father to lead them in the right direction. My beautiful wife Sushika that needed a partner and friend at all times and my mother Sonia who needed a child to support her in her old age (83-years of age),” said Mr Harripersad. These thoughts that surfaced gave Mr Harripersad the will to fight on and free himself from the clutches of cancer.

As the saying goes behind every survivor is a caregiver. Mr Harripersad’s wife stood by him all the way. “To her I would like to say I might not say I love you or I need your help everyday but you give it to me regardless,” said Mr Harripersad with gratitude. “In 2009 Mr Anil Sookraj heard about the CANSA Relay. He came one evening to see me about this. In order for a Cansa Relay to take place he needed survivors. I did not hesitate in saying, yes let’s go for it. I said to myself if we could educate one person and help them cope with this disease then I would have completed the essence of the Relay,” said Mr Harripersad.

With six successful 24-hour CAN/SA Relays complete, cancer survivors have shared their stories and most importantly they have become life long family. 16 years after being diagnosed Mr Haripersad takes the time to motivate cancer survivors by sharing his life changing story and motivating them with these words: “never give up, stay positive, win the battle and fight back.”

Word of advice from the survivor, “To males out there be positive and get yourself tested as prevention is better than cure. To the youth stay away from drugs and alcohol. Your life is just beginning, enjoy every moment because a day lost is one day too many,” encouraged Mr Harripersad. Mr Harripersad lives by these wise words: “have faith in GOD and be thankful for each day. Be positive in all that you do and say because everyone is fighting a battle of their own. Set yourself attainable goals and try to reach them in a set time frame.” “I would like to leave a footprint that others will want to walk in,” said Mr Harripersad proudly.