While the cure for cancer is yet to be found, this week students were reminded of what they could contribute. With the aid of Venustia PSO, Monday 8 April saw rainbow-headed Stellenbosch University students colour the Rooiplein as part of Venustia Week.
Hosting the Sprayathon is a tradition of the PSO’s says Venustia primaria, Aneri de Clerk. She describes it as something “very close to our hearts. Every day we just try and improve more and go wild with it.” This year’s Sprayathon received “quite the turnout” says Venustia vice-prim Vehon Hulme.
Venustia leadership kitted out for the sprayathon. PHOTO: Zoe Human
Cansa is the leading international organisation for cancer research, suggests Cansa Paarl fund developer, Sharon Fransman.
“The first thing that we do is research to see if there are any products that can cause cancer. After that is done they get the Cansa seal of recognition. Then we do education. We go out to schools, churches, workplaces to educate the people about cancer and what to look out for. And then we do a lot of patient support. That is where the money goes because we need to buy wheelchairs and walking frames, ‘kimpies’, pads, those type of things for the patient to use because financially it is not going well with them and they need all this stuff. Cansa buys it and we give it to the patient,” says Fransman.
Cansa Paarl is the main office for Winelands areas: Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Cansa offices can also be found in Worcester, Mowbray and George.
Cansa is a standalone organisation with small affiliated NGOs working in collaboration. Fransman says that if Cansa does collaborate with an organisation, it is usually with the Hospice.
“Hospice comes in with the late stages of cancer but they are not just for cancer, they do all the other areas – diabetes, those types of things.”
In order to donate or find out more visit Cansa’s webpage.