Cancervive host fundraiser in East Pretoria

Local NPO Cancervive and partners recently hosted a fundraiser at Olympus Heights, Pretoria East ahead of their flagship ride to the Western Cape this October.

Survivors, friends, and partners all flocked to the Monte de Dios wedding and conference venue to support the initiative this June 8.

“It’s important for people to start talking more about cancer,” says Cancervive CEO, Marlene Nortje.

“One of the main aims of Cancervive is to break the stigmas and misconceptions around cancer. We do a lot of events, especially in the more rural communities and areas because the more we get the message out the more early detection can happen which saves lives,” Nortje continues.

Cancervive has been doing its work for over 10 years and shows no signs of slowing down.

The NPO started by a group of biker ladies is known to bring their roaring engines and eccentric colourful natures to the venues they visit.

Marlene says this approach makes them stand out and sends out the message that cancer is no death sentence.

Some of the most common misconceptions that the NPO comes across are that cancer involves bewitching, that it’s only for white people, that cancer is contagious as well as having to deal with patients hiding their condition due to shame.

Now home to 40 members/bikers, Cancervive tasks each member to organise a fundraiser in which R25 000 must be raised.

This time around, it was Mariska South’s turn who was the organiser of the morning at Monte de Dios.

Mariska says that the day’s theme was inspired by the late Mexican painter, Frida Khalo. A disabled artist with pollo that painted most of her work laying on her back.

Mariska says that the famous artist embodies the ideal that people are not defined by their illness.

“We want to see that message that if cancer is detected early, something can still be done about it,” South says.

“Sometimes it gets diagnosed and then people get a fright or they don’t want to tell anyone at home and then they don’t go back to the clinic to get treatment. So they hear about it and just keep quiet simply due to the fear of the social repercussions,” South continues.

Guests to the fundraiser could enjoy taking part in painting activities of their own which were offered. Wine tasting, various stalls, and performances ranging from spoken word, drumming, and dancing were all also on display.

Numerous survivors from Cancervive also shared their heroic tales and experiences from their journies.

“There are still a lot of uneducated people even in 2023 about cancer.”

“Just after a visit recently, we received a letter from a man who believed his wife was having an affair. But after our visit and testing were done she was diangoised with cervical cancer. It’s things like that you see? The husband originally thinking that she was sleeping around and caught something are notions that we want to change within communities,” Mariska continued.

Keynote speaker, Zoya Mabuto-Mokoditoa says that she was heavily inspired listening to the testimonies of cancer survivors that took the stage.

The first-ever female Toastmasters South Africa winner says her address was meant to instil hope. Inspired by the quote from 1800s civil engineer, Robert Louis Stevenson “Hope desserts us at no point of our existence, we must therefore live in hope.”

“It’s important to acknowlege the warriors that are still in the midst of their battles as well as the victors that have succeed in theirs,” Mabuto-Mokoditoa says.

“I think I’m here to hold hand, to express my voice and support for those working hard to actively destigmatise cancer. It’s truly an honour to be here surrounded by these amazing people,” Zoya continued.

Zoya is no stranger to the effects that cancer can have, many years ago a cousin of hers was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder at 10 years old.

“The cancer was advanced and as a result of that, they had to remove his bladder at the age of 10. Just sitting with that, a 10 year old boy going through this and wishing for death to the remarkable recovery he made was a testimate to the nature of the human spirit.”

Zoya’s cousin is currently 29 with a healthy baby boy, however, the social shame associated with cancer was something that didn’t leave her family.

“I lost my mother-in-law to cancer back when I and my now husband were still dating. We were about 24/25 when it happened and the sad thing is we only found out she was battling with it when she passed. My husband was distraught because he was well into his 20s and this was kept a secret. It’s that kind of reaction to cancer that needs to change, people need to be educated and support each other.”

Mariska thanked everyone involved in the effort including Monte de Dios, EPH production, Zoya Speaks, Spar, and Clippa Sales. BMW is said to be sponsoring the bikes for the ride down to the Western Cape.

“As Monte de Dios Country Boutique Hotel and EPH, we’d just like to say that we are very proud to be part of this amazing event,” says Banqueting and Events Sales Manager, Wesley Lofstedt.

Cancervive says they intend to keep doing their outreach activities at hospitals, schools, townships, clinics and anywhere else across the country.

Spreading the message that “Early detection saves lives.”

“You are not alone, never give up, seek support when you need and always remember to stay strong,” Marlene concludes.
For more information visit @cancervive on Facebook and @Cancervive_ZA on Instagram or visit www.cancervive.co.za

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