COMRADES MARATHON – Comrades Marathon Supports Cancer Awareness NGO

As part of its Staff CSI, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has made a cash donation to a community-development NGO based along the Comrades Marathon route in the Valley of Thousand Hills.
 
Sinomusanothando is based in KwaNyuswa and encourages medical students to teach school pupils, and thereby the community, about early detection and screening for cancer.
 
The organisation is the brainchild of Dr Thandeka Mazibuko, KZN’s first Black doctor to enter the Department of Radiation-Oncology and Registrar at Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. The radiant doctor works hard to get her message across, also being an advocate for women’s rights and disadvantaged communities.
 
CMA Vice-Chairperson, Mr Macdonald Chitja, who did the cheque handover at Comrades House says, ‘As the Comrades Marathon Board, we are grateful to our Staff for raising funds to support the incredible work of Dr Mazibuko and her NGO. This good doctor has been instrumental in spreading the word about cancer prevention and awareness.’
 
Chitja adds, ‘We are proud to be associated with this initiative as it helps to inform people who would otherwise not have access to such important information and as the CMA, we are proud to be a part of this small but meaningful change along the iconic Comrades Marathon route.’
 
For her part, Dr Mazibuko says, ‘It is hard to believe that this donation comes at a time when we need it the most; and in time for World Cancer Day on the 4^th of February. We humbly appreciate the support from the Comrades Marathon. This will go a very long way for us and we are so grateful for the support.’
 
Mazibuko adds, ‘These funds will go towards our World Cancer Day awareness activities and to purchase the equipment needed by the first Rural KZN Cancer Care Centre in KwaNyuswa. We challenge other businesses and organisations to do their bit in combating cancer in the rural communities by supporting our humble, lifesaving work.’

COMRADES MARATHON Organisers
 
Statement released by the CMA’s Media Officer, Delaine Cools on Thursday, 31 January 2013