Approximately seven thousand supporters took to the streets in towns and cities across South Africa for the second Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer.
This is a 20% growth compared to the first Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer in 2020, according to Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.
The Eastern Cape’s biggest mass participation charity event went virtual in 2020 to comply with Covid-19 protocols – which has expanded the reach of the walk beyond the traditional Gqeberha beach-front.
Nearly 50 running and walking clubs from as far afield as Cape Town, Gqeberha and Rustenburg as well as over 300 business teams accepted the challenge to turn the streets of their towns pink as they walked in celebration of those affected by cancer, says Geyer.
About 100 schools from all the major centres and smaller towns also participated.
“We thank you for being part of our journey,” says Hedley Lewis, chief executive officer of the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, the 2021 Big Walk beneficiaries.
“To all those who participated, in an effort to make a difference, we say there is hope – let it go on to change the lives of those who are in need. You have helped keep hope alive,” he adds.
Funds raised through the 2021 Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer will go towards the purchase of a transporter for CHOC East London.
It will be used for ferrying patients and their carers staying in the CHOC house to and from the treatment centres
“Being selected as the beneficiary of this year’s Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer has been a dream come true for CHOC Eastern Cape,” says CHOC Eastern Cape regional manager Debbie Kleinenberg.
“The incredible media coverage has afforded CHOC the opportunity to not only create awareness of our organisation but has also enabled us to share the early warning signs of childhood cancer which will ensure early diagnosis and a better survival rate amongst children and teens with cancer.
“Thank you to each and every participant to this event. Each of you walked for your own personal reason and at the same time ensured that CHOC is able to support children and teens with cancer, as well as their families,” says Kleinenberg.
“At the end of the Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer supported by so many, everyone is a winner.
“Not because of how long they participated, but because they all walked to assist patients who are undergoing cancer treatment.
“You took to the streets with the thought that you are holding someone’s hand and every step would truly change a child’s life,” says Lewis.
Supporters can continue to donate to CHOC through algoafm.co.za until November 8.
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.
The Middelburg (Cape) Recreation Club has received R46 000 worth of sports equipment for a variety of disciplines through funds raised by the Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer, which is the biggest mass-participation charity event in the Eastern Cape.
Algoa FM partnered with the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) to promote healthy living and exercise for the first Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer, which was held on Saturday, October 31, 2020.
Speaking at the handover, Inxuba Yethemba mayor Noncedo Zonke, said it was a municipality “with a passion for sport which excels at women’s running.
“Social programmes like these are very important because we do not need to focus only on academic performance. We need to encourage young people to keep healthy, and teach them that exercise makes you a complete person”.
DSRAC deputy director of the Chris Hani District Thoko Oliphant, said the Middelburg club was selected because of its enthusiastic participation in the first Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer.
Lorinda Brown, head of the Middelburg Recreational Club said “we can now lead a more active and healthier lifestyle thanks to the more than five thousand people who registered for the 2020 Virtual Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer”.
The equipment is being stored safely at the Ellen Olivier Primary School.
“We partner with both the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the Department of Health” to promote healthy living and exercise in Algoa Country, says Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.
Included in the equipment requested by the Middelburg Recreation Club are agility ladders, yoga mats, dumbbells, gym balls, water dispensers and a loudspeaker system.
Media Release for Algoa FM
By Siyathetha Communications
Algoa FM: Lesley Geyer: 072 372 1900 / Lesley.G@algoafm.co.za
Siyathetha: Ed Richardson: 083 656 9757 / ed@siyathetha.com