Update: check out a video of the trip here!
For the last week of March, I was invited to accompany Reuel Johnson and Iris Pendergast on a trip to South Africa. Our itinerary included meetings and training with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), a series of press events, and ultimately a chance to take part in the Relay For Life of Soweto. While I was thrilled and humbled at such an opportunity, little did I know this trip would profoundly change the way I view the fight against cancer.
Day 1
There was no time for jetlag after 20+ hours of travel, as we jumped straight into a dinner with representatives from CANSA. Their team was incredibly welcoming, which made the transition easy. In no time, we were swapping stories about local Relays and progress of the movement in our countries. In a short 5 years, Relay For Life in South Africa has grown to 107 events, with 50 new events this year alone! At the end of dinner, CANSA presented the American Cancer Society with a series of framed certificates of appreciation, including one for the Relay Advisory Team for our contribution to the Nicus House. What a crew!
Day 2
This was a busy one. We got an early start in a training with the CANSA Zone Coordinators ("Zonies"). These are the staff members responsible for executing Relay For Life in their respective territories in South Africa. Sound like a lot of work? You're right. For just that reason, our charge was to broadly cover the basics, with a specific focus on standards of Relay For Life. Everyone was engaged and asked great questions throughout the session -- and it was a long one. I'm excited to see what comes out of this group this year.
We were also joined by a representative from the Zambian Cancer Society (one of only 2 members, if you can believe it). As she explained, Zambia is looking to start building Relay For Life events in the face of a sobering lack of education and awareness around cancer. It is still a prevalent belief that cancer is not a disease, but a curse cast by demons upon people who have done something wrong. It's astounding to think how much impact community-based education could have in reversing myths like this, especially with Relay as a catalyst.
The afternoon was split, with Iris and Reuel traveling to the Nicus Lodge while I joined CANSA for radio interviews. Once I got over the cold sweats of being "casually informed" of my continent-wide broadcast at dinner the night before, the interviews were actually a lot of fun. Our goals were to explain Relay For Life, promote the Soweto event (on the local stations) and put it all in a context of the global movement to end cancer.
Reuel and Iris had the real treat of the day, as they toured the Nicus Lodge at Steve Biko Hospital in nearby Pretoria. I technically got the tour on the following day, but for storytelling purposes, we'll pretend I was there at the same time.
It's tough to find a word that describes the Nicus Lodge, although "beautiful" gets close. The vibrant, sun-soaked boarding rooms provide a welcome alternative for caregivers who would often sleep under their child's hospital bed as he or she went through treatment. From the stocked playroom, to the colorful hanging ornaments made from used chemotherapy vials, something about the place seems to give off a glow of hope.
All this, in an incredible 8-month transformation from a rundown, unused facility. The funding for the project came largely from donors. During our last Relay Advisory Team meeting, we took up a collection and were able to sponsor this room:
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| ACS Room at the Nicus Lodge. A plaque on the door reads "Donated by the dedicated staff and volunteers of the American Cancer Society. Together we are creating a world with more birthdays." |
This is one of the larger rooms on the third floor. Here, a doctor will perform procedures to provide prostheses for children who have lost their eyes to cancer. The Nicus Lodge staff is excited to send us a photo of the first child who receives treatment there.
It took us about 15 minutes to pass the hat. Talk about where the money goes...
Day 3
Up early for another radio interview. Iris and Reuel sat down with Rachel and Maria from CANSA for a SWOT analysis of their program. From what I heard, it was an incredibly productive session - let's just say Reuel needed a nap afterward.
A great morning, but day 3 was all about the Relay.
It was the first Relay For Life of Soweto. It was a night of celebration in a place of profound cultural significance. It was a representation of a global movement. And it looked like rain...
I'll admit we were a bit worried. Thunderclouds were starting to open up, and it was well past the 6:00pm start time, with no opening ceremony in sight. Finally, the committee decided to go for it by announcing the singing of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, the South African national anthem (fun fact: it incorporates 5 different languages). As all began to sing (and these folks can SING) something truly Relay happened -- the rain stopped.
With that, Reuel, dubbed "World Chief" of Relay by the South Africans, opened the event in a joint address with CANSA and the event chair. Next: the survivor lap.
In true audio geek fashion, I was concerned that the PA system wouldn't be powerful enough to play music for survivors to hear as they walked the track. I clearly didn't get it. Survivors lined up and without missing a beat started chanting, singing and marching around the track. It was breathtaking and caught me completely off guard - pure joy and celebration.
The event carried on through the night with great performances from local dance groups, on-site fundraising involving colored hair spray, walking, running (a local marathon team led that one), cheering and singing. Even a group of Delta employees made the long trek to field a team!
One member of the Delta team tragically lost his 17-year-old daughter to cancer only 3 weeks before. He shared her story during an emotional luminaria ceremony, and the community responded. A Survivor named Nana came forward to console him and offered him a prayer in song. The entire event seemed to join in, including a youth choir that was performing for Luminaria. It was the first time I'd ever heard 10-part harmony. I will never forget it.
We speak a lot about Relay For Life as a global movement to end cancer. I've always understood the concept: We have Relay here in the United States, and other countries are doing it too. The more feet on the track, the faster we'll beat cancer. Simple, right?
Relaying in Soweto changed all that. It made me realize that "more feet on the track" is just the beginning. Relay For Life connects us as people around a common cause so fundamental, so personal, that we can't help but draw power from it. We're part of something bigger than what is defined by borders and languages. We're saving lives.
Just like Gordy couldn't do it alone, and Tacoma couldn't do it alone, we, the American Cancer Society, can't beat cancer fast enough on our own. But as a planet, united... We can do anything.
One world, one hope.
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