Caltex partners with 2013 Cancer.vive motorcycle tour

Caltex will be keeping the riders' tanks full for the 2,300km journey as they make their way down from Johannesburg to Cape Town in their quest to raise awareness of the shy cancers across many South Africans communities.

With cervix cancer being one of the top two cancers for women in South Africa and September recognised as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Chevron believes that the Cancer.vive 2013 tour will encourage women actively to go for screenings and understand the importance of early detection.

The Cancer.vive riders will kicked off their week-long tour on Friday, 6 September 2013.

"Cancer affects every South African either financially or emotionally in some way and is one of the greatest threats to our society. The fact that research has shown that 30% of cancers are preventable, and one-third of cancers are treatable if detected early, is enough reason for us at Chevron to want to get behind a worthy cause, such as Cancer.vive, to reach people within South African communities with the message of early detection. We believe that this effort in itself can save lives," said the chairman of Chevron, Nobuzwe Mbuyisa.

"As a company, we would like to use this opportunity to pay respect and salute each South African who has won or is fighting the battle of cancer."

With Caltex as the fuel partner, the tour has cancer survivors taking to the open road on motorcycles to spread a powerful and passionate message of hope and awareness reaching thousands of South Africans along the way and making various fuel stops at Caltex service stations in the various communities along their route. Over 50 people, including 30 cancer survivors, celebrities and supporters, will be taking part.

The silent killers

The education and awareness programmes of Cancer.vive target the early detection and treatment of all cancers, with the focus on the "shy" cancers, which, due to social or cultural stigmas, people are hesitant to talk about. The so-called shy cancers include testicular, cervical, prostate, ovarian, breast and colon cancer. These cancers are known as the silent killers as they often go undetected for far too long due to a lack of knowledge, fear or shame.

The highlight of every visit to a small town or rural community is the musical, theatrical and entertaining performances that precede the personal testimony and educational messages by survivors.

This year multi-talented South African dancer and award-winning choreographer John Sithole promises to get the crowds on their feet with his impressive array of dance moves, supported by singers and a storytelling poet. Celebrities in South Africa, such as Karen Zoid, Lillian Dube, Janie du Plessis, Myra Maud and Shimmy Isaacs bring their support to the campaign.

Cancer.vive's operational manager and cancer survivor, Frieda Henning, said it's a spectacular sight when their long procession roars into the small towns along the way. "In the rural villages, it is as if life comes to a standstill when we arrive. We are always welcomed with great enthusiasm and it's an exciting highlight when onlookers realise most of the bikers are women. We want all South Africans to understand what the risks, signs and available treatments and support structures are."

Look out for this colourful procession of motorbikes and brightly branded support vehicles as the team will be travelling through Gauteng, stopping in, among others: Potchefstroom, Kroonstad, Wolmaranstad, Bloemhof, Warrenton, Kimberley, Douglas, Prieska, Williston, Calvinia, Clanwilliam, Piketberg, Tulbach, Worcester, Villiersdorp, Bredasdorp, Somerset West and, finally, end in Cape Town.

For more, go to www.cancervive.co.za.