Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the country affecting 1 in 27 South African women and thousands of men. Having performed more than 429 000 clinical breast exams, 24 441 mammograms and over 3 000 male breast examinations, one organisation is leading the charge in the fight against this disease.
On the 9th to the 12th of February, the PinkDrive will once again show the world just how dedicated to defeating breast cancer and South Africans will be participating in the 50th annual aQuelle Midmar Mile. Participants will take to the water to represent PinkDrive in the iconic endurance challenge.
Nelius du Preez, National Marketing Coordinator for PinkDrive says, “Seeing people train and put their bodies through the amount of effort that the Midmar Mile demands is honestly wonderful. It reminds us that we are not alone in our battle against breast cancer and that there are people who are willing to do whatever it takes to help us.”
Since 2009, PinkDrive has devoted its time and energy to finding ways to give people in rural and underserved areas access to potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings. Through relationships like the one developed with Vuma, it has been able to operate a fleet of mobile clinics that help thousands of South Africans across the country.
Janice Benecke, Marketing and Events Co-ordinator in Kwa-Zulu Natal says, “For so many of the communities we help, getting access to breast cancer screenings is almost unheard of. We have often screened people who have lumps that are visible through their clothes because they have not been able to get the necessary examinations. Others may get tested but end up waiting more than 6 months for their results.”
Through its partnership with Vuma and other sponsors, PinkDrive has been able to speed up the delivery of these results.
Benecke explains, “Through the support Vuma gives us, we can get the images we capture to a doctor almost immediately and return the results in a fraction of the time it would usually take.”
That means, as of 20 January, PinkDrive has also been able to educate more than 440 000 South African women and men about breast cancer. We want to enable ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Through such partnerships we get to show South Africans how the value of their actions can extend far beyond the face value of what they think they can offer.” says Lianne Williams of Vuma.
Anyone wanting to swim the Midmar Mile for PinkDrive or to support any other events can contact Janice Benecke at janice@pinkdrive.org or 082 557 3079. Or follow PinkDrive on Facebook or visit: https://pinkddrive.org