While raising funds to support the three partner organisations, the event also provides an important platform to raise awareness across South Africa; around this disease and the access to the vital care needed.Project Manager of Cancer Alliance, Salomé Meyer said, “The Cancer Alliance banner brings together all the cancer non-profit organisations as a united voice to commemorate World Cancer Day. Cancer is an important non-communicable disease that needs dedicated planning and management.
“However, despite the importance of palliative care being available from diagnosis to any individual diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, we find that this care is often misunderstood and considered to be ‘end-of-life’ care. Every opportunity that we get to communicate to people that palliative care is holistic care provided to anyone from the point of diagnosis, is an opportunity that we gratefully seize.
Elize Joubert, CEO of CANSA said, “Early detection is key to overcoming a cancer diagnosis. However, people who live in remote areas don’t always have access to information on how to lower their cancer risk or cancer screening. An event such as Lace Up for Cancer raises funds to assist us in our focus on closing the gap in cancer care by partnering with organisations and civic groups to make cancer information and screening accessible.
Torsten Koehler, a testicular cancer survivor shares his dark and lonely journey of being diagnosed back in 1995, struggling to find any other testicular cancer survivor to talk to about his thoughts, feelings and fears.