Call to support cancer awareness run in Richards Bay

Local breast cancer survivor to lead awareness run/walk in Richards Bay

7 hours ago

Gugu Myeni 2 minutes read

Kalima: Light on Healing founder Lungile Mkhize PHOTO: Sway Pixels

To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, local survivor Lungile Mkhize will lead a 5km fun run/walk in Richards Bay on Saturday, 31 October from 6am, culminating in a Pilates session and brunch in Meerensee.

This is the second annual event hosted by the professional nurse who wants to inspire others with her personal journey, remember those who have lost their lives, and show solidarity to those still battling the disease.

“This year, I wanted to also raise awareness about the ongoing scourge of gender-based violence and femicide,” said Lungile, adding that she has partnered with local running clubs: Richards Bay Running Community, Mamba Running Community and the Richards Bay SAPS.

“I founded Kalima: Light on Healing as a way to give back, support those still fighting cancer, remember those we have lost, and encourage awareness for early detection to save lives.

“My goal is to create a platform where cancer patients and survivors feel supported, and a community that is less affected by cancer,” she told the ZO.

The 29-year-old Mzingazi resident was diagnosed in May 2024.

“Life changed overnight; I went from losing my health to losing a body part, fertility, hair, job and independence. It had a huge impact on my personal relationships because of the psychological burden I was carrying that I could not explain to the next person.

“At one point, I was emotionally unstable, and it affected relationships with the very people I needed support from,” she shared.

Through her journey, Lungile found strength and a renewed appreciation for herself and those around her.

“My diagnosis changed my self-image; the trauma my body and mind took from the treatment needed psychological support so I could love the new version of myself and evolve from the effect cancer had on me,” she said.

Lungile has learnt to cherish every moment while working hard to empower others to not be mindful only of their physical well-being, but also their mental health.

The entry fee for the run/walk is R450.

For more information, contact Lungile on 081 3949668.

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