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PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - On Friday 31 October, guys of all ages, shapes and sizes took to South Africa’s streets sporting only purple Daredevil Speedos to raise awareness about prostate and testicular cancer.
The Garden Route was no exception as a group of scantily clad men strutted their stuff during a 5km walk on Friday afternoon, from the Dolphin Circle in the centre of Plettenberg Bay to the finish line at the Surf Lifesavers Club on Central Beach.
This year’s event marked the 16th Hollard Daredevil Run and for once, Group Editors cameraman Cameron Squire was not busy behind the camera, but showing off his purple branded behind on camera!
Squire, who is too hip to be square, had driven all the way from George to Plett to help spread the message of the importance of early detection of this male cancer.
“It was great fun. The guys even shared a few wet ones on our way down to the beach and motorists honked their hooters in support - or admiration! - when they saw us. The perfect way to raise awareness of preventable and curable cancers.”
Group Editors cameraman, Cameron Squire may be hip, but he definitely needs some beach time! Photo: Chane Bason
From 7 to 77
The Plettenberg Bay organiser of the Daredevil Run, Chris Sounes, retired MD of Industrial and Domestic Risk Services, has been taking part in the event since 2010.
“Over the years I’ve only missed five runs as I was away travelling. When I retired in 2021 and moved from Johannesburg to Plett, I started the run with seven participants. Last year we had 24, and this year, 77 registered.
"Not all could run as some of the kids had nipper training on Friday. I do believe next year we will exceed 100 participants. It certainly is a good cause!”
Sounes orders the Speedos from Hollard in bulk and the participants then collect them from Shannon Barnard, the managing director at The Insurance & Investment Shop in the Plett CBD, from where the runners set off.
Denli Blaauw aka Stoffel of Denron has fun on Central Beach after finishing the 5 km Daredevil Run. Photo: Supplied
Daredevils are lifesavers
Beneficiaries of the funds raised - the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Cansa - use the money to increase awareness, as well as for testing in under-resourced areas.
“Last year alone, we conducted 1 000 PSA tests, trained 649 healthcare professionals and ran outreach programmes across rural and underserved areas.
"This funding is truly life-saving, allowing us to educate, screen and support men, as well as their families, to take control of their health,” says Lorraine Govender, the national manager of health programmes at Cansa.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation of SA’s CEO, Andrew Oberholzer, says the iconic purple Daredevil Speedo has become a symbol of hope. “We couldn’t be prouder of the impact it has in raising awareness, encouraging early detection and ultimately saving lives across South Africa.”
Hollard’s Group Chief Marketing Officer, Hazel Chimhandamba, says the event saves lives. “Understanding the symptoms and available tests, as well as having access to testing facilities, is crucial in the fight against prostrate and testicular cancers, which is why the Daredevil Run is such an effective platform.
"It gets people talking about men’s health in a fun, engaging and approachable way.”
These daredevils plan to do it again next year. Photo: Chane Bason
Catch it early
Prostate cancer claims the lives of thousands of South African men each year. International data shows that approximately one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. A simple blood test can measure PSA levels, which can help detect prostate cancer early.
In South Africa, the lifetime risk of developing testicular cancer in men is approximately one in 1 750, and it remains one of the most common cancers affecting men between the ages of 15 and 49. Both prostate and testicular cancer are highly treatable when caught early.
The iconic purple speedos are collected from The Insurance & Investment Shop MD Shannon Barnard, at the business in the Plett CBD - also the starting point of the race. Photo: Cor Swanepoel
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