Celebrating its silver anniversary this year, the Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer has its eyes set on drawing a record crowd on October 28.
Dating back to 1998, the first Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer started with the participation of not more than 500 people. The event has grown over the years and reached more than 13 000 participants in 2019.
However, since the first walk, the purpose remained clear. “We walk in aid of supporting cancer related organisations and we are pleased to have positively impacted our beneficiaries over the years. The proceeds from the Algoa FM Big Walk for cancer has fulfilled many organisations’ needs over the last 25 years,” said Alfie Jay, Algoa FM Managing Director.
The Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer aims at celebrating survivors, and honours loved ones undergoing treatment while remembering those who succumbed to the disease.
Last year close-on 11 000 people joined the Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer in Gqeberha, East London and George. “We would like to see more people join the activity this year,” Jay added.
Beneficiaries of the 2023 Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer are Wings and Wishes and Reach for a Dream. Reach for a Dream requested laptops and tablets to be used by children who are undergoing long-term treatment and are unable to attend class. The second beneficiary, Wings and Wishes, requested support towards transport costs.
“We are excited to have been approved as a beneficiary of the Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer. This donation will provide our dreamers with the opportunity to connect with their families while in hospital, do research as well as complete school assignments, learn, and develop as they have access to the world. It gives them a future perspective which is so important in manifesting hope while they undergo treatment,” said Lwanele Mpeta, Reach for a Dream Eastern Cape Regional Manager.
Inge Human, manager at Wings and Wishes, said the organisation provides transportation support to children who need to travel outside their hometown for life-saving treatment.
“Many of our patients come from extremely rural areas of the Eastern Cape, and getting them to and from their appointments and treatments, costs about R20 000 per month. Most of the treatments are offered only at Frere Hospital in East London or the Provincial Hospital in Gqeberha, while patients often require specialised cancer treatment and scans which are available only at Hospitals in Cape Town and Bellville,” she explained.
In addition to this support, Jay said Algoa FM would like to fulfil 25 dreams to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the event.
