Hope Ride for breast cancer awareness in October

3 Sep 2009

On Saturday, 17 October 2009, 15 adventurous breast cancer survivors will clad up in their leathers, kick off their high heels and rev up the motors of their Harley's supplied by Harley-Davidson Motor Company and commence the second Journey of Hope Ride from Cape Town to Johannesburg. This eight-day journey ends in Johannesburg on 24 October.

Amongst them are project founder of the Journey of Hope, Diane Parker who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and her two co-founders Aileen Taylor and Frieda Henning whose dream it is to spread awareness of early detection.

Unique

The project is unique in that it represents the personal testimonies of 15 breast cancer survivors, ranging from 36-63 years, all with different backgrounds who have taken time out and volunteered for this ride so that they could each deliver important messages about diagnosis, treatment and survival. These charismatic women will educate thousands of schoolchildren, their parents and social communities along the journey's 2300km.

Clicks Holdings is proud to be the premier sponsor on this journey and as part of its commitment to supporting the fight against breast cancer, it has pledged R750 000 in support of this campaign. “Clicks Holdings is dedicated to both supporting and educating women who have either been diagnosed with breast cancer or simply want to proactively manage the risks associated with the disease,” says Clicks HR Director, Jessie Whitehouse.

Promoting awareness of breast cancer

The Clicks Journey of Hope Breast Cancer Ride campaign was initiated to promote awareness of breast cancer, educate on early detection and to raise funds to heal women who require reconstructive surgery. Diane Parker explains that special effort is made to spend time with women from rural communities en route and special events are being planned within these communities for that very purpose.

Remember, October is Breast Cancer Month - people interested in becoming a ‘friend of the journey' or seeking further information on the riders, the journey travelled or the breast cancer cause - visit the website www.journeyofhope.co.za.

“This journey would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and we appreciate them for all that they have done to make this journey possible,” said a spokeswoman for the Journey.

Sponsors are Clicks, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Revlon, One Time Airlines, Nedbank Cards, Millers Attorneys, PKF Incorporated, Berco Express, Engen, Power Consulting, Thompson Tours, Paul Roos, Medi Clinic, Roche, Avis, Infanta Trailers and Vukile Property Fund Ltd.