The event offers the community the opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors, to remember those who have succumb to the illness, and to create awareness about cancer. In short: a community event that speaks to a shared ethic of care.
On the weekend of 28 and 29 September, hundreds of people gathered at the campus grounds to take part in the event.
When cancer knocks on your door
The event was officially opened by Jacob Simango, the campus’s director of student life. In his address, Jacob shared his own journey with the illness and delivered a message of hope to all those impacted by a cancer diagnoses.
“Cancer has knocked on our door a number of times, and as I stand here today I have lost my mother, father, my brothers, an uncle and several friends to the illness,” said Jacob, who is a cancer survivor himself. In 2016, he was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and had to undergo both radiation and chemotherapy treatments. He was declared cancer free in July 2018.
He continued to say that cancer’s knock on the door leaves people intimidated and scared, but that every individual present should take solace in the strength that families and communities build within each other.
“When one fighter weakens, another strengthens. Today, the Vanderbijlpark chooses to believe that a cancer diagnosis is only a reminder that we won once, so we will win again. We are stronger, more prepared and more equipped for this battle, so the fight has already been called a victory before it even begins!”
In closing, he thanked CANSA for the continued support rendered to all patients and applauded each and every volunteer and care worker for the service they render and the impact they have on the community.
Jacob Simango joining fellow cancer survivors in a celebratory lap around the track.
