Relay for Life ends year on a high note

POLOKWANE – There is no way to say how much all the help means to the people who were touched through this year’s Cansa Relay for Life.

This seemed to be the general consensus during the wrap-up of this fundraising event, that was held at Bolivia Lodge on Sunday.

Speaking on behalf of Cansa, Janie Wierenga said thanking everyone involved was just a small way of expressing Cansa’s gratitude.

In attendance at this final event, which was held to thank the main roleplayers, were the organisers, main sponsors and management of Bolivia Lodge.

This year’s relay saw a total of 160 teams entering, with Clover entering the most teams.

The prize for the best stand at the relay went to Northern Media Group for their “ghosthouse” and cancer busters T-shirts.

The most money was raised by Northern Academy, who raised R33 300. The spirit trophy went to Little Blessings Pre-School, whose team was present during the entire relay, with at least two team members being on the field throughout the night.

The prizes were handed over by Rory Smythe, chairperson of this year’s relay, and survivor, Bobby Were.

A special word of thanks went out to the relay committee for all their hard work over the past year.

The 2013 Cansa Relay for Life raised R393 609,30 with R18 858,84 being used for expenses, leaving a profit of R374 750,46 that will be used by Cansa for programmes such as their cancer awareness programme in rural areas, as well as for the training of volunteers to assist with the awareness programmes.

Funds will also go to the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital’s children’s cancer ward, where five pairs of prosthetic eyes will be made and given to children who lost their sight as a result of cancer.

Two prosthetic legs will also be made and donated to two of the young patients in this ward.

Further funds will go towards emotional trauma counselling, clothing, and other needs for both the hospital and the hospitium in the city.