Cancer survivors take to their motorbikes

Over 50 people, including 25 cancer survivors, are taking part in the annual ride between 22 and 29 September.

Whilst the Cancer.vive team works throughout the year to raise funds and fight the disease, the annual motorcycle ride is the NGO People Living With Cancer’s (PLWC) flagship event. It aims to educate and raise awareness about cancer prevention and support among thousands of South Africans in in a new and dynamic way.

This year French singing sensation Myra Maud will be lending her talents and charm to the Cancer.vive ride, while multi-talented South African dancer and award-winning choreographer, John Sithole, promises to get the crowds on their feet. South African celebrities and cancer survivors, Lillian Dube and Janie du Plessis, are part of the team of riders who will be taking to the road in September.

Cancer.vive Operational Manager and cancer survivor, Frieda Henning says it’s a spectacular sight when their long procession roars into a town.  “We are always welcomed with great enthusiasm and it’s an exciting highlight when onlookers realise most of the bikers are women.”

Last year’s ride saw the Cancer.vive team making their way from Johannesburg to Cape Town and covering a distance of about 2,400 kilometres. This year the team will travel through Gauteng and Mpumalanga, stopping in among others Soweto, Witbank, Sabie, Nelspruit and Mantongomane.

“The initiative is not only focused on big cities and towns, but we specifically visit rural areas, small towns and remote villages where communities are often unaware of the facts,have limited access to health care and are too afraid or shy to speak out about cancer,” she continues.

“We want all South Africans to understand what the risks and the signs are. We want them to realise the importance of self-examination, regular check-ups and the different treatments and support structures available. Between us, the riders speak seven languages, which means communities will receive the Cancer.vive message of hope and support in their mother tongue,” she says.

Scott Maddock, Managing Director of Revlon South Africa (which is the title sponsor of the Cancer.vive ride) says they are proud to once again be lending their support: “This initiative creates awareness, educates and encourages people to talk to one another about a disease that is still so stigmatised in our country.  We believe in speaking about Cancer, debating and advocating at all levels with relevant stakeholders, to ensure that the frightening statistics are reversed.”

The entourage’s motorcycles are supplied by Triumph, and vehicle support is courtesy of Imperial Ford & Mazda. Caltex will keep the tanks and the team’s tummies full on the road.

How you can support Cancer.vive:

kykNET will be airing a documentary on last year’s Cancer.vive motorcycle road trip on Sunday 2 September 2012 at 4pm. Tune in to get a glimpse of all the inspirational stories of hope and survival and what the 2012 trip will entail.

Show your support for this inspiring initiative by liking Cancer.vive on Facebook or follow them on Twitter

Assist the Cancer.vive team with their fundraising efforts by attending one of their fundraising events or by making an online donation.

Find out how you can host your own fundraising event in support of the 2012 ride.

Visit the Cancer.vive website www.cancervive.co.za and post your message of support and encouragement for the riders participating this year.

For more information, contact Frieda Henning on 082 335 4912 or 044 802 0420 oremail [email protected]