Gauteng Daredevils do it again for cancer campaign
This year, individuals, corporates, schools, tertiary education institutions, sports clubs and communities stepped up again for this worthy cause, with about 6 000 runners registering countrywide.
The annual Hollard Daredevil Run did it again – thousands of men around SA wore their purple Speedos to run 5km, raising vital awareness about prostate and testicular cancer.
The suburbs across Gauteng were a sea of purple when the runners took to the streets in Fourways, Soweto, Bryanston, Tshwane, Florida, Vanderbijlpark and Zoo Lake on November 1.
This nationwide phenomenon, which started 15 years ago, raises funds for the Cancer Association of South Africa and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa for testing in under-resourced areas and increasing awareness, support and research.
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The main event at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg saw over 3 000 men and boys participate, with satellite runs also happening nationally.
This year, individuals, corporates, schools, tertiary educational institutions, sports clubs and communities stepped up again for this cause, with about 6 000 runners registering.
From Cape Town, Plettenberg Bay and Bethlehem to Durban, Secunda, Potchefstroom, Thohoyandou and Sedgefield, brave men took to the streets with a mission to raise awareness about the importance of screening and early detection. For the third consecutive year, game rangers took an even tougher stance by running through the Kruger National Park.
Corporate participation in this event has also grown, with businesses around SA helping to enable a culture that sees men talk more openly and take responsibility for their health.
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“Wearing a Speedo in public requires courage, just as it takes courage to take charge of your health by getting regular screenings and staying informed.
“The Hollard Daredevil Run is dedicated to every man and boy in SA affected by cancer or looking to spread awareness,” says Allistair Khanyi, the head of brand and communications at Hollard.
“By shining a light on men’s health, Hollard enables men to take control of their future well-being.
Prostate cancer will affect one in six men in their lifetime, and by 2030, it is expected to be the most common cancer among men in SA.
“Black African men face a 60% higher risk of developing prostate cancer compared to other population groups. The survival rate in men whose prostate cancer is detected early enough is 95%.
“Although less common, testicular cancer remains the leading cancer among young men aged 15 to 35, impacting about 1 in 250 males.
“If treated early, the cure rate rises for testicular cancer can be as high as 98%.”
Khanyi thanked all the participants for fighting against prostate cancer.
