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Love, resilience, and hope filled the air at the 2024 Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer, presented by ISUZU MOTORS South Africa. Thousands walked side by side, each step a tribute to someone cherished, a life loved, a battle fought

While the Big Walk set attendance records with over 15,000 participants turning up in Gqeberha, George, and East London, the event was about so much more than numbers. This was a heartfelt display of unity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to fighting cancer. The true spirit of the day lay in the dedication of thousands who walked with their loved ones’ names emblazoned on banners, t-shirts, and most importantly, held close in their hearts.

For Jennifer Whall, the walk was a 35-year journey of friendship. Jennifer, alongside her lifelong friends Audrey Williams, Alice Geduld, and Ellen Gallant— all 70-year-olds with a combined history of 20 Big Walks—donned matching tutus and gold wigs as they walked, their laughter and bond shining as brightly as the pink of their attire. “This is something we do not only for cancer awareness but also for ourselves, as friends, and as a community,” Jennifer shared, embodying the day’s spirit of togetherness.

For some, the walk marked years of cherished family traditions. Yolanda Prince has made this walk an annual affair for 16 years, walking with her children, Kyle Prince and Caitlin Classen, to honor her mother. Even during the pandemic, they joined virtually, united in remembrance and resilience. Yolanda’s story is echoed by countless others—families walking for loved ones lost, friends who bonded through shared treatment experiences, and oncology nurses showing their unwavering support.

Then there were those for whom the loss was still raw. Kathy Donachie and Julia Hardy walked in remembrance of Kathy’s brother Mike, who recently lost his battle with cancer. Their steps, filled with both sorrow and strength, symbolized the recent pain of mourning. The Murphy family joined the walk to honor their grandparents, Edward and Ellis, who passed from cancer within a year of each other. Family, it seemed, was the uniting theme of the day, as generations came together to walk in memory, in hope, and in love.

But beyond remembrance, the Big Walk celebrated survivorship and fighting spirit. Marilyn Potgieter, two years into remission, walked proudly with her family by her side, their presence an unspoken tribute to her strength. Cancer fighters like Lashin Naidoo, Carmel Hendricks, and Elina Matsimella joined hundreds of others who are still on their journey, showing everyone that while they may be down, they are far from out.

Now in its 26th year, the Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer has grown to be the largest mass participation charity event in the Eastern Cape—and one of the largest in South Africa. With a marketing campaign that reached across airwaves, online platforms, and local communities, the event drew overwhelming support from companies, partners, and government. This year’s walk supported Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa (CHOC) in East London, St Bernard’s Hospice in Buffalo City, and St Francis Hospice in Nelson Mandela Bay and Kouga.

For all those who walked, it was a day to remember, a day of strength, and a day that, above all, showed that while cancer may impact the lives of thousands, it cannot break the bonds of family, friendship, and community. It is through that solidarity that hope remains unbroken.