GREAT Tour Doing Great Work for CANSA and Men’s Health
The Garden Route Extended Adventure Tour (GREAT) 2022 embarks on its second tour with 10 riders cycling from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to Cape Town, over the course of six days, in a bid to raise funds for CANSA, and Love Your Nuts, and further raising awareness of men’s heath, specifically testicular cancer.
#MensHealth #CANSAActive #FightingCancerTogether #CANSACares
After the fundraising success of their 2021 tour, raising over R25 000, the goal for this year is to raise R100 000. The tour starts on Freedom Day, 27 April from the CANSA Strelitzia Care Home, in Gqeberha, and ends at the Victoria and Alfred (V&A) Waterfront in Cape Town on 2 May. A total of approximately 1 064 km’s will be covered by the cyclists across some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.
Leillani Geduld, Sporting Events and Cause Related Marketing Manager at CANSA, says, “CANSA is extremely excited to be part of this event where men’s health will be the focus. It’s of great concern that the number of men being diagnosed with late-stage cancer is on the rise. Knowledge is power and can change the lives of men drastically if they’re aware of early warning signs and symptoms of male cancers. We look forward to welcoming the cyclists in Cape Town in May.”
CANSA advocates that men need to be pro-active about their health and should recognise warning signs. They encourage monthly testicular self-examinations, annual medical check-ups and cancer screening for early detection, as symptoms don’t always present until cancer has spread. Men also need to lead a balanced lifestyle, cutting out lifestyle factors that increase their cancer risk.
One of the riders, Duncan Gilliland, Director at Infraplex adds, “We’re taking part to create awareness around men’s health and help reduce the stigma. It’s now our second Tour and has great meaning to all the riders participating.”
(https://infraplex.net/the-garden-route-extended-adventure-tour-2022/)
As well as ensuring that CANSA can continue offering their specialised care and support for those affected by cancer, funds generated from events like this help CANSA to also promote cancer awareness, through their health campaigns, educate regarding the importance of early detection of cancer, through their community screenings, such as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screenings, at CANSA Care Centres across South Africa. CANSA also makes use of funds to develop and promote tools such as the Lifestyle Risk Assessment Tool, which educates the public on how to lower their cancer risk and live a balanced lifestyle.
CANSA has also recently introduced the ‘Men Supporting Men’ virtual support group that meets monthly, to support specifically male cancer patients, and survivors and share stories of encouragement and hope.
The Tour starts on 27 May in Gqeberha departing at 10 am riding to Jeffrey’s Bay. The riders then proceed (28 May) from Jeffreys Bay to Knysna, then Knysna to Calitzdorp (29 April), Calitzdorp to Swellendam (30 April), Swellendam to Hermanus (1 May) and Hermanus to Cape Town on 2 May.
Donations towards the GREAT Tour can be made online through their secure link on GivenGain – https://www.givengain.com/e/the-garden-route-extended-adventure-tour-2022/
(For more information, please contact Leillani Geduld, CANSA Sporting Events and Cause Related Marketing Manager at email lgeduld@cansa.org.za . Call 021 689 5347 or mobile 082 304 1272.)