Walk offers hope to those fighting cancer

Fouzia Van Der Fort|Published 1 year ago

Cancer survivor Mia Carla Jacobs, 2, from Westridge, with, from left, her brothers, Jesse, 19, and Liam, 15; her grandmother Dawn Maloy, 59; and her sister, Logan Maloy, 23.

About 500 cancer survivors and their families and friends took part in a cancer awareness walk at Westridge Gardens last Thursday.

The 5km and 10km walks were organised by Womens Walk For Wellness, which is one of the teams that take part in the annual Relay for Life held by the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa).

Among those at the event were Mia Carla Jacobs, 2, of Westridge, and her brothers, Jesse, 19, and Liam 15; her grandmother, Dawn Maloy, 59; and her sister, Logan Maloy, 23.

Mia Carla was diagnosed with liver cancer when she was five months old and has been in remission for a year.

Logan said Mia Carla had undergone surgery and endured several sessions of chemotherapy.

Dawn said that it was important for them to participate in the walk because they needed to connect with people who had been through similar experiences.

Womens Walk For Wellness coordinator Shinaaz Adjiet said the event was about giving hope and encouraging everyone to support each other.

They will be participating in a Relay for Life fund-raiser at Westridge High School in March next year.

The 12-hour event, which has at least one member on the track throughout the night, demonstrates that cancer never sleeps. To participate or for more information, call Relay for Life Mitchell’s Plain chairwoman Saadiqa Abrahams at 061 4941 413 or Fadwa Walker at 021 689 5347.

Womens Walk for Wellness members serve walkers.

Lobelia Gym members, from Lentegeur, move to the beat.

Little Flowers Day and Aftercare pupils support Team Marvelous. Pictured at the back, from left, are teacher Mieshka Fombe, principal Marcia Williams and teachers Hope Dean and Laura Marino.