According to BioMed Central (BMC), a world-leading open-access publisher that produces over 250 scientific journals, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in South Africa, accounting for 22.6% of all female cancers and 16% of cancer deaths amongst women. Millions of South Africans have been devastated by the effects of cancer and in a move that could help countless victims, Girls Gone Rx SA has been given a funding boost by Vuma, South Africa’s largest fibre network operator.
Girls Gone Rx is a non-profit organisation that advocates for women’s strength, both physical and emotional, through competitive fitness events and community engagement. Proceeds from every event they host benefit breast cancer charities across the globe. So far, they have raised more than R17-million and counting. The South African chapter of Girls Gone Rx has been at the forefront of awareness and education campaigns in national fitness circles.
Sarah Raatgever, owner of Girls Gone Rx and CrossFit DBN West, says, “We’re thrilled that an organisation with Vuma’s track record for committing to causes like this has been able to step up and help us continue our fight against cancer. Their help and that of others goes a long way to showing cancer survivors and victims’ that they are not alone.”
In 2019 Raatgever got involved with Girls Gone Rx. Her father had been diagnosed with cancer at the time, and the news had left her family reeling. Soon after Raatgever was contacted by the founder of the global Girls Gone Rx organisation and asked whether she wanted to help launch the South African branch.
“I wanted to help not only my father, but anyone in a similar situation, but I didn’t know how or what to do. When Girls Gone Rx contacted me, I leaped at the chance,” she explains.
With her father becoming a cancer survivor, the experience ignited a fire in her to help others in the best way she knew how through strength and community.
According to Taylor Kwong, CSI, and Marketing Manager at Vuma, partnering with Girls Gone Rx was a no-brainer for the organisation. “Our continued collaboration with PinkDrive and other organisations that either uplift communities or assist them in combating cancer and other illnesses makes us an ideal fit for the task we are attempting to accomplish with Girls Gone Rx SA. ‘Because we can, we must,’ is our brand belief and everything we do is guided by this ethos. It is always rewarding to work with partners who share our beliefs.
With the recent support from Vuma, Girls Gone Rx SA is set to elevate their community-driven efforts to new heights. The backing they received will enable the organisation to extend its reach, host more events, and forge collaborations with additional charities, all focused on uplifting women across the country.
As they continue to grow, Girls Gone Rx SA welcomes others who share their passion to visit www.girlsgonerxsouthafrica.com to get involved, participate, or learn more about upcoming events.
With the unwavering support of a compassionate community, they aim to create a brighter future for women battling cancer and foster a sense of togetherness that reminds survivors and victims’ alike that they are never alone on their journey.
