Cape Town - A group of men will trade their desk jobs for a cycle tour to create awareness on men’s health and testicular cancer and raise R100 000 for Love Your Nuts and Cansa.
The cyclists, who work for a telecommunications company will cycle the Garden Route Extended Adventure Tour (GREAT) 2022 from Gqeberha to Cape Town.
GREAT is a six-day tour which will start on Freedom Day, April 27, and finish on May 3.
One of the cyclists who will take part, Duncan Gilliland, said they were doing their bit to create awareness around men's health and help reduce the stigma.
“Men’s health needs to be recognised and discussed. The more awareness created around men’s health and cancer, the more knowledgeable people become, which can help with early detection and getting treatment immediately.
“Cancer has personal resonance with myself and fellow riders. It is a continuation of our cancer awareness campaign from last year and this year’s GREAT 2022 will have Torsten Koehler from Love Your Nuts driving support for the team.
“We are constantly reminding ourselves of our purpose and goal. Training together in preparation for this tour has helped team moral and peer motivation,” he said.
Gilliland described the race as a “bit daunting”, adding “this would be (one) of the longest distances in six consecutive days, but at the same time (I am) excited about the challenge”.
“I am looking forward to completing this with the team and really testing our limits. The Garden Route is one of the most beautiful locations in the country and the route has some incredible scenery,” he added.
Founder of Love Your Nuts, Torsten Koehler, said men were dying because they don’t know testicular cancer exists.
“Testicular cancer is also called ‘shy cancer’ because men don’t talk and don’t go to the doctor easily. It is the most common cancer in the age group 15 to 45 years. This is an age group where it’s cool ‘to flex your muscles, be manly and macho’.
“A young man diagnosed with testicular cancer will not easily share it with friends, because they are scared they will get bullied or be seen as only ‘half a man’ (because they lost one testicle to cancer).
“Besides the cancer diagnosis it has an impact on men’s health in general: fear, depression, can’t deal with feeling and emotions and low self esteem,” he said.
Sporting event and customer relationship management manager of Cansa, Leillani Geduld, said it was important to create awareness, educate people about cancer.
“Initiatives like this assists Cansa to continue to create awareness and educate men in communities on the importance of early detection. Most testicular cancers can be detected early, a lump or swelling may be the first sign that a medical practitioner should be consulted.
“Young men from age 15 to men age 49 can reduce their risk through self-examination. It’s important for young men to start testicular self-examinations soon after puberty,” she said.
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