GEORGE NEWS - Lorraine Verhagen, one of the most loved and best known Group Editors staff members, has been congratulated during a sitting of the National Council of Provinces (NCP) for her immense contribution to fighting cancer. 

Under Verhagen's chairmanship, the 2017/18 George Relay for Life achieved second place out of hundreds of fundraising relays across the world in Cansa's Global Spirit of Relay awards. 

Verhagen is one of three women from the Garden Route who were congratulated by the NCP for receiving international Cansa awards in June this year.

Each woman also received a commendation letter from the NCP. The other two women are Merle Singh, chairperson of Garden Route Relay for Life, and cancer survivor Sadiyah Moerat from Mossel Bay.

Verhagen says she never expected to get a special mention in Parliament. "Maybe I should go into politics! It's quite a nice feeling to know your name was mentioned in Parliament - in a good way!"

The NCP accepted a motion put forward by MP Jaco Londt that the extraordinary work done by Cansa be noted and that all the volunteers, organisers and stakeholders be thanked for the many hours they spend on this noble cause.

Londt and his fellow parliamentarians wished the three women all the best with their endeavours, urging them to "continue to fight the good fight".

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