Founder Members and Directors of Journey of Hope - from left, Frieda Henning, Aileen Taylor and Diane Parker

This campaign brings with it a message of hope and encouragement in an optimistic, positive and unique manner through the courage and the drive of 25 women, all breast cancer survivors, who will continue to traverse the county on motorcycles to allay the myths surrounding breast cancer. The 2010 ride will take place from  9th -16  October 2010.

The project was initiated by Diane Parker who was diagnosed with breast Cancer in November 2004. She had found support with other breast cancer survivors Chrissy Jeavons, Aileen Taylor and Nellie Ndwambi when the project Biking for Breast Health   took place in October 2006. Frieda Henning had met the team on one of the stops through George that year and decided she too was going to learn to ride and be part of the journey.  Then the idea of Journey of Hope (a registered Section 21 company) was born and the founders Diane Parker, Aileen Taylor and Frieda Henning took a slightly different approach than in the 2006 ride through increasing awareness and reaching more South Africans.

The 2008 Temptations Journey of Hope left from Johannesburg Oct 10th and finished in Cape Town on the 18th which raised over 1.2million in cash sponsorships that will also help make change in the lives of breast cancer survivors to be able to afford breast reconstruction from the underprivileged areas of South Africa. Breast cancer surgery such as a mastectomy, single or bilateral, is paid for by the state government hospitals, but reconstruction is not, leaving many women disfigured. 

The 2009 Journey of Hope left Cape Town on Oct 17th and finished in Johannesburg the 24th which raised approximately 2 million in sponsorships and fundraisers.  The funds continue to help bring breast cancer awareness throughout the countryside and make change in the lives of breast cancer survivors to be able to feel whole again, either by breast reconstruction surgeries or prosthesis.

The Concept

The Journey of Hope focuses on the lives of breast cancer survivors, travelling across South Africa on motorcycles, geared  to spread the message of positivity and of hope in a unique and vibrant way through the stories of these  dynamic heroines.  Appearances, talks and awareness workshops are held throughout the year as well as during the week of the Main Ride, when various schools, shopping centres and communities along the route are visited, spreading the message of hope across the country.

The Need

In South Africa, the incidence of Breast Cancer has overtaken that of cervical cancer

• One in 27 women are diagnosed with breast cancer
• Cancer does not account for colour or race as 17.9% of white women, 24,4% of Asian women, 18,2% of coloured women and 13,3% of African women are diagnosed with breast cancer
• With early detection and appropriate treatment, the survival rate is 95%
• Due to ignorance and lack of information and awareness, many women die of breast cancer in South Africa when the picture could have looked much different

OBJECTIVES

Objectives for the journey:

• To unite in our passion for creating awareness
• Reach out to South Africans in an effective manner
• Attend to selected major cities and outlying areas in South Africa
• Assist in awareness through breast cancer support groups, motorcycle enthusiasts, and other clubs.
• Organise fundraising events to support the  awareness campaign
• Make it possible for women to go through a breast cancer screening process should they not have a medical aid or not being able to afford this
• Be instrumental in taking women who walked the road of breast cancer on their own journey of hope by supplying them with a prosthesis until they can receive a mastectomy
• Spreading the message that breast cancer can be beaten if detected and treated early enough
• To collaborate with other organizations working for the same cause