Every year, there are roughly 1.1 million new cancer cases in Africa, resulting in about 700,000 deaths. South Africa contributes significantly to this number, with breast cancer alone affecting more than 3% of the population. As we observed World Cancer Day on 4 February, PinkDrive who’ve spent a decade and a half fighting to turn those numbers around, is determined to continue their efforts in raising awareness and providing essential cancer screening services.
“The work that we do here at PinkDrive is critical, especially for people who would otherwise have no access. We have made it our life’s work to provide care and lifesaving screening exams and will continue to do so for as long as we have life in our limbs,” says Nelius du Preez, National Marketing and Event Coordinator for PinkDrive, a local NPO dedicated to raise cancer awareness.
Help to those who need it
For the past 15 years, PinkDrive has been on the frontline in South Africa’s battle against gender related cancers, having performed almost half a million clinical breast exams, more than 24,000 mammograms and thousands of male breast examinations since its inception in 2009.
Du Preez says, “Whenever we go into a community, especially when we go into rural communities, you can see what it means to the individuals there. Sometimes our work goes to people who live more than hundreds of kilometres away from help. Those are the people who really need us and that is where we try to be.”
Bringing more than awareness
This year, to help bring awareness to the prevalence of gender related cancers and its effect on South African communities, PinkDrive’s swimmers supported by Vuma, South Africa’s largest fibre network operator, will be participating in the world’s largest open water swim: aQuelle Midmar Mile hosted for the 51st time. The aQuelle Midmar Mile is an endurance swimming race that sees thousands of entrants swim a challenging 1.6km at the Midmar Dam near Howick and Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
Du Preez emphasises that the support received during this event serves as a constant reminder that in the battle against breast cancer, they are not alone as PinkDrive. There are individuals who are willing to go to any lengths to provide assistance.
Lianne Williams, Marketing Director at Vuma says, “We love empowering everyday individuals to achieve the extraordinary, and there’s nothing more extraordinary than triumphing over cancer. That’s why our enduring partnership with PinkDrive is so significant. PinkDrive’s focus on breast cancer awareness and community support highlights the social issues and challenges that our communities face. By partnering with PinkDrive, we can contribute to creating a positive impact on public health, especially in the context of cancer prevention and early detection for those who cannot afford it. Organisations like these fill us with hope in the power of South Africans to make a real difference. We believe in what PinkDrive stands for and will continue to support where we can – it can be through free tea and coffee that gets served to community members or through fundraising for the Midmar Mile.”
Myths still prevail
Some people believe that there’s already enough cancer awareness but as Du Preez explains, myths still prevail and the only way to combat them is through education.
“We are committed to popping up anywhere people need us and educate them. There are still people out there who think men can’t get breast cancer or that only one group of people can get it. We are here to bust those myths and help people in need live as long as possible,” adds Du Preez.
As long as breast cancer exists, there will be a need for organisations like PinkDrive, and for those who are out of reach of live-saving exams, this is music to their ears.
PinkDrive will also be participating in a string of events throughout the year including the Booby Tuesday Corporate Challenge, a call for companies to donate and help fund mobile screening units.