Support CANSA Shavathon to keep fighting cancer
The theme for 2021 is ‘Colours Speak Louder than Words.’
2021 promises to offer much excitement as the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) celebrates 90 years of service.
Shavathon events, for the first time, are spread out from February 27 to March 27, 2021 to ensure the necessary Covid-19 safety regulations are in place.
Maria Scholtz, CANSA’s Head of Sustainability elaborates,” We’ve decided to do things differently this year. Annually we have one weekend at the end of February where Shavathon events take place countrywide at shopping centres and the week thereafter, Shavathon hosts such as workplaces or schools host their events.
“However, we’re mindful of the safety of the public and need to ensure that we adhere to safety protocols. The aim is to have various smaller controlled Shavathon events starting from Saturday, February 27 to March 27, 2021.
“Further we offer cashless options such as Snapscan, Zapper, MTN MoMo Wallet and online donations can be made on shavathon.org.za with the ‘Bail Out’ fee. Supporters can view the event directory on the Shavathon website for details.”
CANSA Shavathon events will be hosted by event hosts in innovative and creative ways this year – with a ‘drive-through’, ‘Shavathon-in-a-box’ and virtual Shavathon options to ensure everyone can still be a part of this inspiring fundraiser campaign. Hosts are encouraged to challenge 9 or 19 potential hosts to organise a Shavathon event in honour of CANSA’s 90th anniversary.
“The theme for CANSA’s 2021 Shavathon is ‘Colours Speak Louder than Words’ – we’re still caring for cancer patients and loved ones despite Covid-19 and we invite the public to show they care too by participating or donating to raise sufficient funds for us to continue to do so.
“During lockdown, our homes and stoma services stayed open as essential services with protective measures while the public hospitals are open and receiving patients. CANSA Care Homes cater for patients receiving cancer treatment with accommodation, transport and meals.
“CANSA’s TLC Lodges for children and families affected by cancer also remained operating. We offer support via our WhatsApp line that helps with cancer education, queries and support in isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho and siSwati (071 867 3580) and support via phone and online platforms,” Scholtz continues.
CANSA also offers confidential, professional, cancer-related telephonic counselling to cancer patients, caregivers and their families and parents or guardians of children living with cancer. Counselling is available in seven languages (English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, Sesotho and Setswana) and is free of charge.
Adults pay R50 and children U12 R25 to spray or shave their hair or donate a ponytail to make a wig for a cancer patient. Digital selfie boards will also be available to help create awareness and the public is encouraged to share their photos on social media using the hashtag #CANSAShavathon and #CANSA90.
To host an event, please register and order Shavathon products through the Shavathon eShop. Anyone can host an event, it is not limited to workplaces, organisations or schools. The deadline for registration and orders is March 1, 2021.
Scholtz concludes, “Online fundraising activists can sign up on the Shavathon website and can challenge their family, friends, and colleagues to support their fundraising efforts. How about raising R900 or R9 000. We invite corporates to take up the online fundraising challenge with many employees still working virtually.”
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