10th Annual Cancer Survivors Day celebrated
The GVI Oncology Group hosted the 10th Annual Cancer Survivor's Day at His Peoples Church, N1 City, Cape Town on 15 August 2009. The event was one of a number of events, marking August as Cancer Awareness Month in South Africa.
Left to right: Samantha Galliét, Lilian Dube, Wilma Van Der Bijl and Mr Zerk
This year's event drew the largest audience to date. In total 1400 cancer survivors and family members attended. The theme of the celebration was “Thrive and Survive,' with the “Kaapse Klopse” getting everyone into a celebratory mood on arrival.
Cancer awareness and patient advocacy campaigner, Samantha Galliét, spoke about the importance of cancer advocacy and how she used her experience to challenge medical aids and government to attend to the needs of cancer patients.
Actress and motivational speaker Lilian Dube, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, warmed the crowd with the lighter side of cancer survival and her role in raising funds for breast reconstruction.
Wilma van der Bijl shared her comments on survival and living in the moment, while Zerk, who is a member of a cancer support group from Tygerberg Hospital, spoke about his experience as a head and neck cancer survivor having to learn to speak without a voice box post his throat cancer treatment.
The musical group “Hot Water” had the crowd on their feet and dancing in the aisles.
This event was made possible with the support of four main sponsors, namely Medi Clinic, Lilly, Novartis Oncology and Roche. Donations went to the Cancer Buddy Project.
Go to www.plwc.org.co.za for more information.
