South Africans will be turning out in their thousands in support of those affected by cancer by participating in the Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer 2021.
The annual Algoa FM Big Walk is one of South Africa’s biggest charity events. This year it takes place on October 30 – with participants picking the five kilometre route of their choice.
“It is an ideal family event as you can walk or run the five kilometres as fast or slow as you like, starting at eight in the morning,” says Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.
Entries from around the country are heading for the 7 000 mark, and there is still time to register in order to help the CHOC to purchase a transporter for young cancer patients and their carers in Buffalo City and surrounds, she says.
Participants will be treated to a free show featuring a mix of South African and international acts, namely: Canadian pop duo Neon Dreams; internationally acclaimed South African country artist, Roan Ash; celebrated singer/songwriter Majozi; and Cape Town based New Hero, who have a string of number one hits to their name.
The show will be streamed through the Algoa FM website and Facebook pages from the “live studio” set up especially for the Big Walk.
There has been such support for the Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer 2021 that all of the free T-shirts and much of the merchandise on offer have been snapped up a fortnight in advance of the annual event, according to Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.
“Thousands of people from all over South Africa will be walking their own five kilometre routes on Saturday, October 30, to help raise funds for the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC) and in support of those affected by cancer.
“CHOC East London will put the money raised towards purchasing a new transporter for the children and their carer who are accommodated for free at the CHOC house while the child is undergoing treatment.
“But, even if it is too late for a T-shirt, there are still exciting prizes to be drawn from the lists of people who enter over the next two weeks or so,” she says.
Algoa FM has teamed up with its clients to provide weekly prizes in the last sprint to the day of the event, as well as on the 30th.
There are also prizes to be drawn from the school, club and corporate entries.
Running and walking clubs from around South Africa are vying with each other to submit the biggest entry for the Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer 2021 five kilometre walk on Saturday, October 30.
“It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm with which clubs are taking on the Big Walk for Cancer challenge,” says Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.
As a “thank you”, Algoa FM will be giving a Samsung Active 2 Smart Watch to one lucky club member.
“I would like to encourage all running clubs, far and wide, to enter this year’s Big Walk…. it’s a Walk that changes lives,” says Ella Ajayi, MTN manager regional marketing .
To qualify for the draw, simply state the name of your club on the online registration form.
Club members can either enter individually or as a group, which means that they can share the courier costs of the sought-after iconic pink Big Walk T-shirts and other merchandise, she says.
The annual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer is the biggest mass-participation charity event in the Eastern Cape.
This year the beneficiary is the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC).
More information is available on the Algoa FM website: www.algoafm.co.za
The Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa (CHOC), will be the primary beneficiary of the 2021 Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer.
Participants throughout South Africa and from around the world will be able to take part in the Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer on Saturday the 30th of October.
The CHOC Foundation is dedicated to providing assistance to children who are battling cancer, as well as their families.
Funds raised through the 2021 Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer will be apportioned towards a new transport vehicle for children and their caregivers in Buffalo City.
The vehicle will also be used to transport CHOC education teams around the Eastern Cape to inform the people of Algoa Country about the early warning signs of childhood cancer.
A portion of the funds raised will also support a sports organisation in the province, to be nominated by the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture – one of the sponsors of the Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer.
“CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation is thrilled to be the beneficiary of this wonderful event”, says Debbie Kleinenberg, CHOC’s Eastern Cape Regional Manager.
“Covid-19 has had a huge impact on all of us and CHOC Eastern Cape has not escaped the turmoil of the situation.
“With the funds raised from the Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer, CHOC will be in a position to support families whose children and teens have cancer, as well as create awareness of the Early Warning Signs of childhood cancer”, she says.
“It is every family’s worst nightmare to hear that their child has cancer and CHOC is there as support from diagnosis onwards. However, we need to create awareness and ensure early diagnosis, in order to improve the survival statistics”, says Kleinenberg.
“CHOC Eastern Cape has a similar footprint in the province to that of Algoa FM and we look forward to being part of this wonderful event and being able to continue making a difference in the lives of children and teens with cancer and their families”, she says
“The Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer will be a virtual event, observing all Covid 19 protocols as well as giving people from all over the world a chance to participate as we ‘celebrate every step’ with those who have been touched by the disease,” says Algoa FM Marketing Manager, Lesley Geyer.
In 2021 People signed up for the event from as far afield as Australia, England, Scotland and Dubai.
In South Africa, there were walkers in pink in the main centres of Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, East London and around 50 other towns and cities throughout the country.
The biggest support came from Nelson Mandela Bay, with walkers in 80 suburbs turning the metro pink.
“Thousands of people entered online for the virtual event and judging by the images that were shared, they turned neighbourhoods pink while walking in celebration of those affected by cancer,” says Geyer.
Sponsors of the 2021 Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer are: aQuellé, Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture, ISUZU Motors, MTN, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
Entries are open, you can register here.
“Mother’s Day is not really a day during which I focus on my role as a mum, but rather on that of my role as a daughter,” says Algoa FM Breakfast Show presenter Lee Duru.
“I dedicate special attention to my own mother,” says the multi-talented Duru, who has the lead role in a new sitcom and strives to strike a balance between her family and multiple professional lives.
“My mother is the woman who laid the groundwork and set the tone for the type of parent I am today,” says Duru.
“On Mother’s Day, I try to show extra gratitude and acknowledgement for all she has done for me”.
“Every sacrifice made and every memory created. I find that I appreciate and understand it all that much more now that I am a mum myself”, says Duru.
Speaking of herself as a mother, Duru manages her busy schedule with “a lot of family support”.
“My husband, mum and sister help keep the wheels turning and, of course, I’d be nowhere without my diary, year planner and endless lists”!
“Thankfully, my daughter Elah, is now a fully-fledged teenager and so making lunches, sorting uniforms and packing bags is a thing of the past – although I do have to cast a guiding eye once in a while”.
Duru says she is “strict” about personal and family time and emphasizes the importance of being selective and learning to say “no” to certain invitations.
“Most days start at 04:30 (depending on how many times I hit the snooze button)! At 06:00 I co-host the breakfast show and then from 09:00 I could have anything from meetings to admin or brunch with a friend lined up”.
“My second work shift starts at around 16:30 when I start preparing dinner for the family.
In between, Duru has ensured that as a freelancer she has multiple income streams”.
“I currently write for a TV show on SABC 2 called “Karektas” and am part of the development team for a docu-drama called “Ko Strateng”.
“I’m also in front of the camera from time to time. In April I started filming a sitcom in Johannesburg to be aired on Moja Love, where I play the lead character”.
“I also MC, am a public speaker as well as a social media influencer with various campaigns lined up for the year”.
Lee describes herself as an affectionate, protective, responsible, and reliable mother.
She says she is a “straight-shooter who tells it like it is and keeps it real”.
Her approach to discipline is a combination of “old school” and modern. “While my father was very strict and gave me several hidings growing up – modern-day parenting now calls for us to confiscate devices and talking about feelings!”
“My aim is and will always be to create a secure, nurturing home in which Elah can be spontaneous and feel loved”.