The City of Johannesburg’s Health Department, the Gauteng Department of Health and the South Africa United Against Cancer (SAUAC) staged a cancer awareness walk on the 29 October 2022 at Parkview’s Zoo Lake.

October is known as breast cancer awareness month in South Africa.

The walk raised awareness about all types of cancer and encouraged regular screening as earlier detection is key.

The City’s Health Department Regional Deputy Director, Zanozuko Mbane, said: “The aim was to educate the community about cancer.

We were also doing various screening, which include TB, diabetes, HIV and blood pressure test while accommodating women and men to pap smear and prostate cancer testing.”

Participants were encouraged about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.

The Gauteng MEC for Heath, Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko, and Acting MMC for Health and Social Development Cllr Roland Harris cut the ribbon to start the 5km Wellness Walk Against Cancer.

“The idea of the walk is to convey the message that cancer can be beaten if we talk about it by making people more aware about it,” said MMC Harris.

One of the members from SAUAC, Tshepang Luchaba, said the event was also a fund-raising exercise for the organisation.

“The purpose of this event is to raise awareness around cancer but most of all the aim is to raise funds so that those cancer survivors have the financial support on the things that they need.”

One of the participants shared their experiences on how cancer had affected them.

“My sister is a cancer survivor. It was hard watching her lose so much of herself to this disease. This walk was the best way to raise awareness and show people you can survive and fight this disease together,” said Olie Baca.

Written by Abongile Guntu

31/10/2022