Africa-Press – Namibia. ILOVEBOOBIES, a local charity organisation filling in the gaps of cancer care through educational tools, early detection services and support, has an all-women’s team gearing up to race in the Nedbank Desert Dash, which takes place on 9 and 10 December from Windhoek to Swakopmund.
Nedbank Namibia, the biggest contributor to the local cycling fraternity, has also committed to being a partner of the charity.
ILoveBoobies is a four-member women’s team comprising Jana von Backström, Vicky Vosloo, Mimi Hough, and Jonie Peters.
The team will take part in the world’s longest single-stage mountain bike event, which attracts well over 900 local and international cyclists annually.
Von Backström, a passionate cyclist, says Nedbank Namibia sponsored the team entry for the race.
“We aim to match the entry fee with donations from the public to contribute to the ‘Early Detection Saves Lives’ breast cancer screening programme of ILoveBoobies.”
Breast cancer is both the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide.
One in eight women, or about 13% of all women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime.
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women.
Some 85% of breast cancer cases occurs in women who have no family history of the disease.
In some countries, up to 30% of women are unaware of breast cancer. Early detection followed by appropriate treatment is recognised globally and in South Africa (Breast Cancer Prevention and Control Policy 2017) as the most effective method to reduce breast cancer mortality.
Most women who die from breast cancer live in low- and middle-income countries, where most women are diagnosed in the late stages due to a variety of factors.
“Breast cancer is a concerning problem, but through the power of education and awareness the risk to the lives of our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and nieces can be radically reduced. A little-known fact is that men get breast cancer too, and while the incidence is lower, anyone with breast tissue is at risk,” says Von Backström.
Significant challenges for those affected by breast cancer include financial barriers, inequality in access to care, and inadequate support.
ILoveBoobies has been operating in Namibia for two years, providing free breast cancer screening to women who face financial challenges.
The screening programme is funded through donations, event entries, fundraising, and merchandise sales.
ILoveBoobies has an online store offering a variety of running, cycling and leisure items: socks, buffs, cycling jerseys, and T-shirts.
The charity has enjoyed amazing support from the Namibian cycling community over the past two years and hopes to see that support continue for this year’s Nedbank Desert Dash.
It is as simple as buying a pair of socks that could save a woman’s life. For every five pairs of socks sold by the charity, they will screen one woman for breast cancer.
Speaking of the about the sponsorship, Nedbank spokesperson Selma Kaulinge says: “The Nedbank Namibia Desert Dash has become so much more than just a cycling race – the event has transcended the sporting foundation, and has inspired a lot of participants to take on the gruelling journey through the Namib Desert for a good cause.”
Upon taking over the title sponsorship of the Nedbank Desert Dash eight years ago, Nedbank Namibia invested more than N$8 million.
This year, cyclists have registered to race across three categories: solo men and women, and two- and four-member teams.
Cyclists from The Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, the United States, Germany, Canada, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Botswana, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, France, and Austria will take part in the event.
Nedbank Namibia, the biggest contributor to the local cycling fraternity, has also committed to being a partner of the charity.
ILoveBoobies is a four-member women’s team comprising Jana von Backström, Vicky Vosloo, Mimi Hough, and Jonie Peters.
The team will take part in the world’s longest single-stage mountain bike event, which attracts well over 900 local and international cyclists annually.
Von Backström, a passionate cyclist, says Nedbank Namibia sponsored the team entry for the race.
“We aim to match the entry fee with donations from the public to contribute to the ‘Early Detection Saves Lives’ breast cancer screening programme of ILoveBoobies.”
Breast cancer is both the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide.
One in eight women, or about 13% of all women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime.
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women.
Some 85% of breast cancer cases occurs in women who have no family history of the disease.
In some countries, up to 30% of women are unaware of breast cancer. Early detection followed by appropriate treatment is recognised globally and in South Africa (Breast Cancer Prevention and Control Policy 2017) as the most effective method to reduce breast cancer mortality.
Most women who die from breast cancer live in low- and middle-income countries, where most women are diagnosed in the late stages due to a variety of factors.
“Breast cancer is a concerning problem, but through the power of education and awareness the risk to the lives of our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and nieces can be radically reduced. A little-known fact is that men get breast cancer too, and while the incidence is lower, anyone with breast tissue is at risk,” says Von Backström.
Significant challenges for those affected by breast cancer include financial barriers, inequality in access to care, and inadequate support.
ILoveBoobies has been operating in Namibia for two years, providing free breast cancer screening to women who face financial challenges.
The screening programme is funded through donations, event entries, fundraising, and merchandise sales.
ILoveBoobies has an online store offering a variety of running, cycling and leisure items: socks, buffs, cycling jerseys, and T-shirts.
The charity has enjoyed amazing support from the Namibian cycling community over the past two years and hopes to see that support continue for this year’s Nedbank Desert Dash.
It is as simple as buying a pair of socks that could save a woman’s life. For every five pairs of socks sold by the charity, they will screen one woman for breast cancer.
Speaking of the about the sponsorship, Nedbank spokesperson Selma Kaulinge says: “The Nedbank Namibia Desert Dash has become so much more than just a cycling race – the event has transcended the sporting foundation, and has inspired a lot of participants to take on the gruelling journey through the Namib Desert for a good cause.”
Upon taking over the title sponsorship of the Nedbank Desert Dash eight years ago, Nedbank Namibia invested more than N$8 million.
This year, cyclists have registered to race across three categories: solo men and women, and two- and four-member teams.
Cyclists from The Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, the United States, Germany, Canada, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Botswana, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, France, and Austria will take part in the event.
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