Cape Town - A group of cancer advocates are raring to step up to the challenge in support of Cansa by competing in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon next month.
The event will see running enthusiasts, from elite athletes to social runners. take part either in peace runs, trail runs or the 42.2km marathon.
The aim is to raise R300 000 through their run for Cansa campaign.
Stefan van Neel will be among the runners. He will compete in the 22km Open Male Trail Run.
Van Neel said this was a cause close to his heart because he had lost a few family members to the disease within a space of three weeks.
“Someone close to me, who had been the pillar of strength for the past seven year, and made it possible for me to continue being active, has been diagnosed with lymph cancer.
(However, I hope) my passion for running and ,y passion for making a difference will help those suffering from cancer,” he said.
Also competing is Nigel Nitzky. He will compete in the 42.2km marathon.
Nitzky said he wanted to do his part in fighting cancer.
“This organisation means a lot to me. They are trying to fight cancer head on. They reach out to anyone who's affected. They are trying to do their best with what they have and if we all work together, cancer can be beaten,” he said.
National corporate relations and sporting events manager at Cansa, Leillani Geduld, said they were privileged to have active activists, who choose to support their organisation.
“Cansa relies on income generated from its fundraising events and projects in order to sustain the care and support we provide to those affected by cancer,” she said.