CHOC Cows – Marathon Des Sables

It’s known as “The Toughest Footrace On Earth” Marathon Des Sables (MDS), a multi stage race stretches across 250km of the Sahara desert and is completed over six days. Participants are required to carry all their own food, sleeping bags and safety equipment for the duration of the race. Not for the fainthearted!

In the 2016 edition of MDS, 6 people will be dedicating their race to support children with cancer and rare blood disorders in South Africa by fundraising for CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa), a non-profit and non-government supported organisation. Childhood cancer is a reality; it does not discriminate; does not care where you live; does not care about your bank balance or the colour of your skin. CHOC provides holistic support for each child and their family as they undergo treatment, including accommodation, transport and educational/emotional support. The support provided is available free of charge for all children in South Africa and is available in all major cities. In South Africa, 1 in 600 kids are diagnosed with cancer, 80% of these cases could be cured if the cancer was detected and treated early enough however currently 60-70% of these kids are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease which significantly impacts their chance of survival. As a result, CHOC plays a major role in educating medical practitioners and traditional healers in the early detection of childhood cancer with the aim of improving the survival rate of children affected by cancer. For more information www.choc.org.za.

The Cows, started in 2008 by a group of 8 friends who owned bicycles have been riding, running, walking, climbing and swimming in any dare-devil attempt to fundraise as much as possible for CHOC after the loss of their friend’s daughter, Jessica Bain to Neuroblastoma at only 20 months. Armed with their ‘Love Living Life’ slogan and a healthy dose of enthusiasm, the herd has enjoyed much success and acclaim.

To date volunteering activities have raised more than R24 Million which was used for the following:

To upgrade 4 hospitals in South Africa,
Purchased 2 additional houses for the CHOC network,
Purchased 4 vehicles to support the transfer of children to and from hospital,
Had 12,136 people trained on early warning signs of Childhood Cancer,
Supported 5 Social Workers for 2 years and 2 Auxiliary Workers also for 2 years,
R306,127 was spend to compile and maintain the Paediatric donor registry,
Funded the running costs for 3 houses for 1 year.

We hope you can find it in you to make a contribution to this cause to support Children with Cancer.

(100% of all benefits goes towards activities that supports kids with cancer)

The Marathon Cow Sables Team

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Cordi van Niekerk

Jon-Paul Bret

Shaymus McTeague

Ben Whateley-Harris

Alistair Kerr

Richard Riddell

CHOC Cows - Marathon Des Sables

by CHOC

South Africa Health Care

Project activity

Funded to date:

R 65,700

Funding goal: R 500,000

NGO: CHOC

Start: 19th August 2015

End: 30th June 2016

Field agent: Cordi van Niekerk
cordiv@gmail.com

Activists: (5)