With exercise and a positive mindset playing a vital role in their recovery, three cancer survivors will line up in the Totalsports Women’ s Race to run in support of the event’ s official charity, PinkDrive.
CHARITY
With exercise and a positive mindset playing a vital role in their recovery, three cancer survivors will line up in the Totalsports Women’ s Race to run in support of the event’ s official charity, PinkDrive.
Cancer survivor and PinkDrive supporter Rayghanah Cassiem
CANCER SURVIVORS LACE UP FOR
As the biggest celebration-on-therun of Women’ s Month in August, the Totalsports Women’ s Race proudly continues to empower women while supporting PinkDrive as its official charity. PinkDrive is committed to improving breast cancer awareness and education as well as providing free screening services to the medically uninsured across South Africa. As part of this initiative, PinkDrive will offer free clinical breast examinations at all three of the Totalsports Women’ s Races, along with the opportunity to consult with a PinkDrive nurse for general medical advice.
To support PinkDrive’ s work, all runners registering for the Totalsports Women’ s Race were invited to include a donation to the organisation with their entry fee. Runners can also visit PinkDrive’ s Shop4Cancer at each event, where they can deck themselves out in pink gear to show their support for this worthy cause while celebrating the strength, resilience, and vital role of women in society.
Running For Health
The 2025 Totalsports Women’ s Race will include three cancer survivors, who are proudly sharing their inspirational journeys as they prepare to participate in the event in their respective cities. The Cape Town race will see Rayghanah Cassiem tackle the 10km, while Denise Williams will be in action in Durban, and Loraika Pillay will lace up her shoes for the Joburg race.
Diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2005, Cassiem was initially told that she only had five years to live.“ Devastated doesn’ t even begin to describe it, because I had no history of cancer, I breastfed four sons, and never smoked or drank, so I didn’ t just accept the diagnosis,” she says.“ Before cancer, I existed; after treatment, I truly started living, and in August 2025, during the Totalsports Women’ s Race month, I’ ll mark 20 years on this journey.”
Cassiem’ s initial treatment was successful, but after five years, the cancer returned in her breastbone – this time stage four, incurable – and she’ s been living with that for the past 15 years.“ Since then, I’ ve faced multiple scares: Liver, jaw, breast, skull, uterus, and hip. I was on treatment for 18 years, now stopped as my body is resistant, so I live by ABC: Attitude, Believe, Choice. That’ s why I turned to hiking, dragon boat paddling, and running, to focus on quality living. I choose to survive and live fully,” she says.
“ I’ ve completed over 50 half marathons, and more than one hundred 10km races, and one of my favourites is the Totalsports Women’ s Race. I’ ve taken part so many times, I’ ve lost count,” she continues.“ The race is a fantastic way to encourage women to get active, and with PinkDrive involved, we’ re not just running – we’ re raising vital cancer awareness with the goal of saving lives. To all participants and supporters: Know your body, and pay attention to any unusual changes, because early detection can make all the difference. Use the services offered by PinkDrive, learn what’ s available, and share it with others. You could be saving a life.”
Inspired by Determination
On behalf of title sponsor Totalsports, Head of Marketing Nikki Crous says that her team feels privileged to welcome these cancer survivors to the start line.“ Denise, Rayghanah and Loraika embody the incredible strength, resilience, and spirit that the Totalsports Women’ s Race stands for. Their journeys are powerful reminders of what it means to overcome adversity with courage and grace. We are truly inspired by their determination and proud to honour them – along with the many other runners, walkers, and supporters who are walking similar paths. This race is a celebration of every woman’ s story, and we’ re privileged to be part of theirs.”
For more information on PinkDrive, visit www. pinkdrive. org.
Images: Courtesy PinkDrive
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