Over 200 walkers participated in the annual Cancer Awareness Walk on the Garden Route, held in the Wilderness Section of the national park. The event brought together SANParks staff, local residents, and supporters for a 6 km journey of solidarity.
CELEBRATING SURVIVORS
The walk marked Childhood Cancer Awareness by celebrating survivors and supporting those affected. For staff in remote areas with limited health access, events like this walk bring screenings closer to home. They also show how caring for people links directly with protecting the environment. Nearly 400 000 children are diagnosed with cancer globally each year, making awareness and early action more urgent than ever.
“This walk highlighted that cancer affects lives all year, across all ages, and that consistent awareness and preventative care remain vital,” said JP Louw, SANParks Head of Communications.
For participant Kim Gelderbloem, the walk was a celebration of strength and resilience. “We walk to celebrate the strength of cancer survivors, honour the memory of loved ones we’ve lost, and inspire others to stay strong and fight back. Every step, every voice, every story matters,” she said.
SCENIC ROUTE OF RESILIENCE
Conservation goes beyond caring for wildlife; it also creates spaces where people can thrive, stay healthy, and support one another. In this spirit, initiatives like the Cancer Awareness Walk Garden Route reflect SANParks’ vision of connecting people, nature, and heritage to build thriving communities.
Starting at Ebb and Flow Rest Camp, the scenic 6 km route looped along Waterside Road, George Road, Leila’s Lane, and Sanctuary Road. Each step along the way further united participants, celebrating resilience, community, and collective action for a shared cause.
By the finish line, smiles and laughter were everywhere. Ultimately, small steps, taken together, can make a big difference in the fight against cancer.
