A great pairing. Pics by Meredith, Stefan and Rene’
Cancervive. A group of cancer survivors and their supporters who dedicate time and effort to educate people about cancer, early detection and it’s treatment. The Cancervive Flagship Ride takes the message to rural areas in SA.
That’s the nutshell of what we’ve picked up in the year or two that we’ve been following this initiative. Please scroll right to the bottom of this feature to see how they operate, wht they do and how you can reach them.
Cancervive engages in creative awareness campaigns, hosts educational events, conducts clinic and hospital visits, and organizes its flagship event, the annual Cancervive Awareness Ride.
Participants need to raise money for the NPO in order to participate – and in doing so, they sign up for an adventure that not only touches other lives, but also their own.
It all sounds rather soppy and emotional – and it actually is. Life changing. Educational. And to quote one of the ladies who we chatted to “If we can just help one person, it makes it all worthwhile.”
We borrowed bikes from the Bikeshop group. A Suzuki DL 650 and a DL800 and headed off to Standerton to meet with this years participants on the last leg of their 1250km kilometre trip through Mpumalanga, Natal and Gauteng. More on these bikes soon.
It’s like meeting old friends as they welcome you. We attended one of their educational presentations where we were blown away by the professionalism and enthusiasm of the Cancervive team.
These are people who have challenges of their own to overcome – and here they are helping others. How cool is that?
Friday: This trip gathered in Centurion at the Tayfin Royale Hotel where the newcomers to the group were briefed.
Saturday: The first day of the trip took the participants to BH Baragwanath Hospital where care packs were delivered to the oncology ward and their patients.
Then it was the long road out to the famous Memel Hotel where they met with the guys from the Newcastle chapter of The Crusaders. They then rode into Newcastle with the team.
Sunday: Day 1 in Newcastle was spent at The Grey Goose Game lodge. After a cancer awareness walk, the first educational show of the trip took place with guests and the team from the lodge in a cave in the gorge. Absolutely epic!
Time was taken to plant the Cancer bush, a shrub with bitter, aromatic leaves, with red-orange flowers appearing in spring to mid-summer. According to many studies over many years, the health benefits of tea range from protecting your teeth and heart to helping prevent cancer.
Monday was a full day: The guys stopped in at the local Suzuki Newcastle dealership for coffee before heading onwards to a rural school, Ziphakamiseni Secondary school, where the team put on another awareness show. To watch the kids interacting was fantastic.
The afternoon was spent in the Madadeni hospital, sharing the love and care packs with patients and the team.
Then it was out to the Kalbarchan Community centre and soup kitchen. They look after a feeding scheme where kids can enjoy at least one square meal a day. The team laid on a lunch and a performance to remember.
Tuesday: Was spent shooting photo’s, laughing chatting, interacting with local peeps at Madadeni Stadium. The team took a scenic ride through to the picturesque town of Wakkerstroom.
Wednesday was a very fulfilling day. The visit to Elangwane High school was packed and a really successful event. Days like these make all the effort so worthwhile.
The afternoon was spent at the BPG Langfontein farm outside Wakkerstroom, where farm workers and communities from all over and walks of life came along. It was packed and so well received, a privilege to see.
On Thursday. We were up and at it early. There is a school in Wakkerstroom, Uthaka secondary where we were so well received by hordes of excited children.
After a visit to the historic Wakkerstroom Bioscope (yes there is one…) we hit the road to Hoerskool Volksrust. A happy few hours were spent there spreading the love.
It was time for introspection by the participants and an evening of camaraderie…
Friday, Last day: Day 5. Up early, we headed through the morning mist for Standerton and a visit to one of that towns major industries, the Goldi plant. A very interactive morning was spent with the workforce, many of whom have been touched by Cancer.
The final leg of the journey was back to Centurion for the event finale – a get together, celebration with family members. Awards were handed out, where we learned that one of the ladies had raised more than 100K for the Cancervive NPO.
How cool is that!
All through the 1200 odd kilometre trip, Suzuki made sure that participants were looked after on the road, both on two and in four wheels.
They brought along a team of riders and drivers and a mechanical outfit to look after the participants throughout.
Such a great initiative. Such a great cause. Well done to all. See you next year for the Cancervive Flagship ride.
Please scroll down to learn more about Cancervive.
About Cancervive:
Cancervive SA educates people through a combination of engaging, in-person events like their Edushows and accessible digital tools such as the thoto Whatsapp Bott.
Thuto the WhatsApp chatbot was created by Cancervive. It provides accessible cancer information, education, and support.
It’s available in multiple languages and can be accessed by saving the number +27104425324
Send a message like “Hi” on WhatsApp.
Cancervive uses storytelling, music, and dance to make cancer education memorable, particularly in rural communities, focusing on early detection and dispelling myths. Their survivor-driven approach also empowers communities to take an active role in awareness and support.
