In a remarkable display of unity and bravery, thousands of men and youth donned purple speedos to run for male cancer awareness in the 2023 Hollard Daredevil Run, sending a strong message of hope and determination to combat prostate and testicular cancer.
Johannesburg, South Africa (17 October 2023) – In the heart of Mzansi, the vibrant streets were not just adorned by the annual Jacaranda blossoms but by a sea of purple-clad men and youth determined to make a difference.
In an impressive show of courage and camaraderie, they embarked on a 5-kilometre journey to raise awareness about prostate and testicular cancer, participating in the 2023 Hollard Daredevil Run.
The spectacle was nothing short of inspiring, with over 3,000 daredevils converging at Zoo Lake in the afternoon. However, this was only the tip of the iceberg, as hundreds of satellite runs unfolded across South Africa, spanning from major metropolises to the smallest towns and rural communities.
The Hollard Daredevil Run witnessed spirited teams in cities like Durban, Pretoria, Cape Town, Kimberley, and Bloemfontein, yet it reached far beyond these urban landscapes. In places such as Despatch, Gonubie, Virginia, Bethlehem, Secunda, Potchefstroom, Thohoyandou, Giyani, Makhado, Sedgefield, and even in the wilds of the Kruger National Park, men joined hands to run cancer out of their hoods and into the history books.
Since its inception in 2009, the Hollard Daredevil Run has burgeoned into a nationwide phenomenon. Its mission is twofold: to raise eyebrows and raise awareness about prostate and testicular cancer. This year, the organizers aimed to host the biggest and bravest run to date, and they accomplished just that.
Warwick Bloom, Head of Group Marketing at Hollard, couldn’t be prouder of the event’s growth, year after year.
One remarkable aspect of this year’s run was the increased participation of high schools, with many institutions and hundreds of learners forming teams across the country to champion the cause. This surge in engagement is pivotal, considering that many men are often hesitant to discuss health issues or seek professional help. As a result, cancer is frequently diagnosed at later, more advanced stages. Detecting and treating these cancers in their early stages could mean brighter futures for men and their families across the nation.
Prostate cancer, by 2030, is expected to become the most common cancer in South Africa, with black African men facing a 60% higher risk than other population groups. The survival rate for early-stage prostate cancer is an encouraging 95%. Testicular cancer, though less common, remains the primary cancer affecting males aged 15 to 35, with a survival rate as high as 98% when diagnosed and treated early.
However, it’s not just about running in purple speedos; it’s about making a tangible difference. All proceeds from the Hollard Daredevil Run are channelled to the Cancer Association of South Africa and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa. These funds support testing in under-resourced areas, boost awareness, provide vital support, and promote groundbreaking research.
Warwick Bloom expressed his gratitude to both the Cancer Association of South Africa and the Prostate Cancer Foundation for their enduring partnership with Daredevil. They have been instrumental in supporting the event throughout its transformative journey. The impact of their dedicated work is felt far and wide, changing the lives of countless men and their families.
In the end, the 2023 Hollard Daredevil Run wasn’t just about the bravery and resilience of those who ran but about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
These men, youth, and their supporters have sent a powerful message to the nation: when we come together, we can conquer the most formidable challenges, one step at a time.