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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Market Day 2009 not only provided fun and entertainment for CPUT students, but also communicated an important message about social awareness and social responsibility.

The event, which was co-ordinated by Student Affairs and Student Counselling in conjunction with the Sunflower Fund, took place on Cape Town Campus on 19 October 2009 and on Bellville Campus on 22 October 2009.

Market Day, which takes place annually at CPUT, allows students to practise their entrepreneurial, craft, cooking and marketing skills by setting up stalls and selling their wares to members of the CPUT community.

This year, in keeping with the 2009 theme, students belonging to the Association of International Students and other cultural societies sold traditional food and crafts, thereby helping their fellow students learn more about different cultures and nationalities.

A stall offering a wide spectrum of South African delicacies titled “Rainbow Nation”, managed by Public Relations students wearing local outfits, won the best stall prize.

The Student Counselling Department’s peer helpers distributed a special edition of the Student Counselling newsletter dealing with the importance of keeping human relationships healthy and active.

“We understand that if there is one part of our connection with others that is in distress, other parts of our lives will be affected as well,” said Intern Psychologist Samantha Hanslo in her introduction to the newsletter.

The Student Counselling peer educators also used the opportunity to recruit new peer helpers for 2010 and to thank students for their support this year.

In addition to stalls representing CPUT student wellness services such as the HIV/AIDS Unit and the Disability Unit, Market Day also featured national organisations promoting social responsibility, including CANSA, SANCA, Epilepsy SA and Diabetes SA.

The Sunflower Fund, a charity that assists leukaemia patients, held a “""shave a little, save a life"" campaign and sold bandanas to raise funds for their organisation.

One of the highlights of Market Day 2009 was a concert at the Cape Town campus piazza by Idols co-winner Sasha-Lee Davids, who wowed the crowds with her hit single ‘True Believer’ and later signed autographs for her CPUT fans.

Heart 104.9FM DJ Sam Roy, who acted as master of ceremonies at the concert asked students and staff to make a pledge around tolerance for diversity not only on campus, but in South Africa as well.

Photograph: The team behind “Rainbow Nation” celebrates their victory for best stall.

Written by CPUT News

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Spray or shave your head in support of those living with cancer.

CPUT is calling on all staff and students to participate in the CANSA Shavathon, which will take place this month at the university.

The event forms part of the #CPUTgivesback campaign, which was launched at the start of this year.

The campaign is part of the University’s 10th birthday celebrations and calls on the CPUT community to give back and to make a positive change in communities.

Organised by the Marketing and Communication Department in conjunction with CANSA, the Shavathons will take place at the Wellington, Cape Town and Bellville Campuses.

Staff members and students are invited to show their support by either having their hair sprayed (with washable spray) or to shave their heads, all at the cost of R20. Various other products, such as buffs will also be on sale.

All proceeds will go to CANSA and will be used by the organization in the fight against cancer.

For more information see the CPUT Facebook page or the events calendar on the CPUT homepage.

Dates for the CANSA Shavathons:

Wellington Campus (Organized by the Wellington SRC):

• Venue: K Block (parking area) 
• Date: Tuesday, 6 October 2015 to Wednesday, 7 October 2015
• Time: 9am – 3pm

Cape Town Campus:

• Venue: Courtyard at the Student Center (fourth floor) in front of Cashiers Office 
• Date: Thursday, 15 October 2015
• Time: 12am – 2pm

Bellville Campus:

• Venue: Student Centre
• Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2015
• Time: 12am – 2pm

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.

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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