According to Nelius du Preez, PinkDrive Operations Manager, it's the camaraderie of thousands of women coming together to celebrate Women's Month and support PinkDrive that makes the Totalsports Women's Race truly special.

"It's beautiful to witness a 'sea of pink' as women come together, filling the streets of three major cities in support of one another — standing united and prioritising their health in an active, uplifting environment," says du Preez. "Thanks to the fundraising opportunity and platform provided by the Totalsports Women's Race, we can continue serving communities across South Africa. The funds help us achieve our core purpose: to make a meaningful contribution in preventing as many people as possible from succumbing to breast, cervical, prostate and testicular cancer."

Being part of the Totalsports Women's Race significantly enhances PinkDrive's ability to deliver vital services, including offering free clinical breast examinations on race day to both men and women, says the NPC. 

"The event gives us the perfect platform to spread the powerful message that early detection can save lives," du Preez says. "Our breast cancer survivors also share messages of hope with participants, reminding all of the importance of awareness and action. Cancer is not a death sentence. We urge everyone to perform monthly clinical breast examinations and to go for regular mammograms. Please continue supporting PinkDrive so we can keep our mobile units on the road, helping the medically uninsured."

Thanks to the incredible generosity of event sponsors and participants, PinkDrive says R158 584 was raised for PinkDrive after the 2024 events — a powerful reminder of sport's ability to drive meaningful change.

"The Totalsports Women's Race is very special to PinkDrive," says Janice Benecke, PinkDrive KwaZulu-Natal Marketing and Events Coordinator. "Each year, we're overwhelmed by the support we receive from both the event and the participants. We are blessed to witness many inspiring success stories. In 2024, for instance, one woman visited our stand, extremely concerned after discovering a lump in her breast. Our nurse conducted an examination and provided a referral letter. We were able to secure a free mammogram for her, and thankfully, the results confirmed the lump was non-cancerous. She was incredibly grateful, as the long public healthcare waiting lists could have delayed her diagnosis. This experience not only gave her peace of mind but also potentially changed the course of her life."

Benecke adds, "There are so many ways runners, walkers and even spectators can support PinkDrive — whether by becoming a volunteer, hosting a fundraising event, or even selling cupcakes. The sky's the limit when it comes to raising funds for PinkDrive."

"We are incredibly proud to once again partner with PinkDrive as the official charity of the Totalsports Women's Race. PinkDrive plays a vital role in South Africa by providing essential breast cancer education and screening services to communities across the country. Their mission aligns perfectly with our commitment to women's health and empowerment, and we are honoured to support their impactful work through the Totalsports Women's Race," concludes Nikki Crous, Head of Marketing at Totalsports. 

For more information, visit www.pinkdrive.org. You can also follow PinkDrive on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor