CPUT is partnering with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) to host the Western Cape’s first-ever CANSA Relay for Life Collegiate event.

CANSA Relay for Life is a global event that unites communities in the fight against cancer and about 6 000 such events are held worldwide annually.

The theme is Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.

Teams from CPUT, the University of Cape Town, Varsity College and False Bay College will participate in the event which will be held in the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville Campus.

The event will start at 6 pm on Friday, and teams will continue to walk in a relay until 6 am on Saturday morning.

“The idea is to raise awareness and provide education around cancer for student communities. We would like to let our young people know that there is help and support out there should they be diagnosed with cancer. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we find that the statistics for young women with breast cancer are quite high,” said CANSA’s Leillani Geduld.

She stated that participants could also look forward to inspirational guest speakers and exciting entertainment.

CPUT Events Manager, Cathy Cloete said the university was proud to co-host the inaugural event with CANSA.

“Cancer has affected many members of the CPUT family and it is important that we celebrate the survivors, remembers those who have passed and create awareness on fighting back.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Cancer survivors, caregivers, students and staff members from CPUT, Varsity College and False Bay College participated in the first-ever CANSA Relay for Life Collegiate event.

CPUT partnered with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) to host the all-night event at the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville campus on Friday.

The theme was Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.

CANSA Relay for Life is a global event that unites communities in the fight against cancer and about 6 000 such events are held worldwide annually.

The crowd were welcomed by comedian Stuart Taylor before cancer survivor Kauthar Roomaney shared her inspirational story.

“People often say you only live once but I like to say you only die once and live every day.”

The relay kicked off with a few laps around the hall by cancer survivors to loud cheers from the crowd.

This was followed by a caregiver's lap.CANSA’s Leillani Geduld said they were extremely pleased with the first CANSA Relay for Life Collegiate event.

“The atmosphere has been terrific. We thank everyone who participated, all our speakers, sponsors and MCs and CPUT for co-hosting with us. We look forward to more such events in future.”

CPUT Events Manager Cathy Cloete said the institution was proud to co-host the event.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Omega Caro-E food supplement, developed by CPUT innovators, Prof Spinney Benade and Dr Maretha Opperman is being snatched up by consumers.

Introduced to the South African market earlier this year, sales have already reached the R300 000 mark.

And with a stamp of approval from the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), monthly sales of the supplement have doubled.

“Since Cansa came on board, our sales soared to R 100 000 in April, and R 68 00 in May. All this was achieved without any advertising in the media,” says Benade.

In March the supplement received a Seal of Recognition from Cansa. This is the first time that the organisation has endorsed a food supplement.

Omega Caro-E, which is available in capsules, provides an affordable option to communities to lower the risk of developing chronic ailments like heart disease, arthritis, cancer, strokes and skin disorders.

CEO of Cansa, Sue Janse van Rensburg says the decision to support the product is based on extensive research and analysis of 64 fish oil supplements that are currently available on the market.

The research commissioned by Cansa found that the Omega Caro-E Supplement was unique and contained a diversity of natural molecules that may assist in reducing the risk of cancer.

“Accredited literature indicates that marine derived fish oil, plant derived carotenes as well as vitamin E may assist in reducing the risk from some chronic diseases like cancer. We therefore recognise Omega Caro-E as a first time Cansa Smart Choice Supplement,” says Janse van Rensburg.

The product is marketed by Cansa and is available for purchase at the organisation’s more than 50 offices, which are situated across the country.

The product retails at R97.

It is also available from the Functional Foods Unit at the Bellville Campus. To purchase the product or for more information please contact the unit at +27 (21) 953 8676/7.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Talk about a close shave! On Saturday 16 February, Dean of Informatics and Design, Prof Johannes Cronje, had his 3-year-old ponytail shaved off as part of the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) Shavathon.

The same day, numerous other concerned people throughout the country came together in shopping malls to have their heads shaved or sprayed in aid of cancer research. The donated hair is being used to create wigs for burn, scar, alopecia (hair loss) and cancer patients.

Prof Cronje believes in the social responsibility of leaders. He has also participated in AIDS testing on 11 September 2007 and feels that this was another way to show concern for the community at large.

To find out more about the CANSA Shavathon, go to http://www.shavesa.co.za.

By Amelia Smith

Written by CPUT News
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First-year Education students and their mentors on the Wellington Campus raised R4 000 which they donated to an organisation that raises funds for cancer patients.

The cheque was handed over to the Panthers Against Cancer recently at a ceremony in Paarl, and the donation was later made to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).

CANSA is a non-profit organisation, started in 1931 which was born out of compassion for people affected by cancer. They mobilise volunteers to offer health programmes and support communities across the country to ensure that cancer patients and their families are cared for.

Final year student and mentor Corne Conradie said they came up with the idea of fundraising in order to bring about unity among the students as they were working towards a common goal.

“It’s good that we are making what we learn in class a lived experience,” she said.

Lecturer Lu-Anne Kearns said the students’ philanthropic gesture gave her a sense of hope that the country is going to be a better place.

“We are producing teachers with compassion and empathy. I am enthralled by how they did it, this is how we change the country,” said Kearns.

Kearns commended the mentoring programme on her campus and said the mentors were crucial in facilitating for the settling of the first years as they give them support.

In September 2017 a new cohort of mentors was trained by the faculty and the programme for this year’s orientation week was also developed. Millicent Hendricks, who received the donation on behalf of CANSA thanked the students for giving generously to cancer patients

Written by Kwanele Butana
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