Fun walk for cancer awareness

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GEORGE NEWS - George municipal staff and councillors held a fun walk for cancer awareness on Friday 28 October during their lunchtime.

Willbedine Jordaan of the Social Services division coordinated the event with support from wellness officer Chrystal Spies.

Director of Human Settlements, Planning and Development Lauren Waring, a cancer survivor, spoke to the attendees about breast cancer in females and in males and how early detection makes the difference to the prognosis and outcome.

Waring, who has been cancer-free for nine years, believes we should talk openly about cancer and become informed about the disease. Waring said we always think it should be a lump in the breast, but it is not necessarily the case - it can be a rippling of the skin, an orange-peel texture or just a strange feeling.

PHOTO GALLERY: Municipal staff join fun walk for cancer awareness

In her case, she had a warm sensation in her breast that felt like sunburn, and it lasted only about an hour. The cancer wasn't detected by a mammogram but only by an ultrasound.

"Friendship, family and faith are three things that will get you through this," said Waring.

She urged everyone to go for regular check-ups and said George has some of the most excellent medical professionals. Waring is a volunteer for Reach for Recovery, an international breast cancer support group.

It is affiliated with the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). It is a non-medical programme designed to help women with breast cancer in their return to daily life. George Traffic Services and the Public Order Police unit (Pops) were part of the procession.

Chrystal Spies, wellness officer at George Municipality, opened the event with prayer.