Cancer survivors hit the road with Cancer.vive

These motorcyclists with a mission will be riding from Pretoria Girls' High School in Tshwane, along a route through cities, towns and rural communities in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State.

What is Cancer.vive?

Cancer.vive is a special education project of People Living with Cancer (PLWC), an NPO founded by cancer survivors dedicated to educating people about early cancer detection, as well as offering support to people living with cancer and their families, and, importantly, celebrating life. (Watch the video below for more info.)

Image source: Cancer.vive

Janie Du Plessis, CEO of People Living with Cancer, says, 'Being diagnosed with cancer is a very frightening time in anyone's life. Our mission is to tell people living with cancer that they are not alone, and that many cancers have a very high survival rate if detected early enough. We also connect them with Cancer Buddies, a support project that helps people living with cancer and their families to navigate life after diagnosis.'

Over the past four years, the Cancer.vive rides have helped to educate more than 75,000 people face-to-face and travelled more than 8,000 kilometres to remote villages, mines, schools and communities, for the fight against cancer.

The highly visible convoy will be adorned with the colourful Cancer.vive logos in the lead-up to October, raising public consciousness continuously as they ride. At each stop, they will connect with communities by bringing education in an entertaining and enjoyable way. Their message focuses particularly on the importance of early detection and treatment of cancer in order to save lives. Posters and leaflets in multiple languages explain signs and symptoms of cancer and encourage people to seek medical help as soon as possible. Survivors also share their stories through music, dance and theatre, helping to break down some of the taboos and fears surrounding cancer.

Endorsing and supporting the Cancer.vive ride are key sponsors SPAR and Revlon, joined by Triumph, Caltex, Imperial Ford & Mazda, Meadow Feeds and Netcare 911.

How you can help

• You may pledge a donation by simply SMSing the name of any survivor to 42356. The SMS will cost you just R30. (If you don't know a survivor, you may SMS your own name.)
  
• Follow the ride, help raise awareness and send messages of encouragement to our riders and people living with cancer on twitter at @Cancervive_ride, and Facebook at Cancervive, Instagram at cancervive_ride.
  
• Find out more about Cancer.vive at http://www.cancervive.co.za.
  
• Connect with PLWC via http://www.plwc.org.za/ or on 0800 033 337 (toll-free).