“The darkest hour in life only lasts 60 minutes” – Marlené Fourie
Marlené Fourie - a victim of Ewing sarcoma
5 100 kilometres, 113 towns, approximately one year and Ten Million Steps for Cancer! A man, his love for his late daughter and those who are suffering from cancer, a customised hospital bed and about ten million steps.
This is the story of 50 year old Joppie Fourie from Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo, South Africa for 2011 and 2012. Saturday 6 August 2011 Ten Million Steps for Cancer started in honour of Joppie’s daughter Marlené Fourie. 17 year old Marlené was born on 9 August 1991 and passed away on 5 July 2009 after suffering from a very aggressive and extremely painful type of bone cancer.
It is Marlené’s positive attitude, her way of embracing life, her love for life during her last months, her hope, her love and her inspiration that inspired her dad Joppie to take the first of Ten Million Steps for Cancer on the Saturday prior to celebration of what would have been Marlené’s 20th birthday this year.
Ewing sarcoma is a malignant round-cell tumor. It is a rare disease in which cancer cells are found in the bone or in soft tissue. The most common areas in which it occurs are the pelvis, the femur, the humerus, the ribs and clavicle.
Because a common genetic locus is responsible for a large percentage of Ewing sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumors, these are sometimes grouped together in a category known as the Ewing family of tumors. The diseases are, however, considered to be different: peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors are generally not associated with bones, while Ewing sarcomas are most commonly related to bone.
Ewing sarcoma occurs most frequently in male teenagers, with a male/female ratio of 1.6:1. It is a very rare type of cancer, so rare that in 2009, to my knowledge, only 6 children in South Africa, including Marlené, were diagnosed – none of them survived.
To symbolize and share in the pain, suffering, emotional and financial needs of cancer patients and for Joppie to achieve his goal the project will solely depend on help, sponsorships and material support from the business, public and private sector.
Mission
The sole mission of Joppie’s Ten Million Steps for Cancer is “to inspire cancer patients, create and promote awareness for the suffering brought about by cancer and to raise funds for various needs regarding cancer.”
This is a physical, emotional and spiritual campaign for cancer prevention and awareness.
Vision
Ten Million Steps for Cancer visualize raising funds for various needs regarding cancer, to inspire cancer patients and to create awareness for the importance of a healthy lifestyle in the fight against cancer.
Structure of the Trust
The Ten Million Steps for Cancer Project is based on an initiative by an individual, Joppie Fourie from Oudtshoorn, Klein Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa.
Oudtshoorn is home to the Ten Million Steps for Cancer Trust.
The trustees are:
Founder: Joppie Fourie
Chairman: Gideon Badenhorst
Lawyer at James King & Badenhorst
Accountant: David McKinnon
Accountant at Lampbrecht & Meyer accountants
Personal assistant/ Founder: Lizanne Barnard
Background
Ten Million Steps for Cancer is a charity project. Funds will be raised for cancer support and research services.
Joppie will walk and push a customized hospital bed throughout South Africa.
He will start and end in Oudtshoorn, Joppie’s marathon walk in aid of cancer will include visits to oncology units, hospitals, mayors, cancer patients and cancer interim houses in the following towns:
Oudtshoorn, George, Mossel Bay, Albertinia, Riversdal, Heidelberg, Swellendam, Robertson, Worcester, Paarl, Cape Town, Malmesbury, Darling, Yzerfontein, Vredenburg, Velddrif, Piketberg, Eendekuil, Citrusdal, Clanwilliam, Klawer, Van Ryhnsdorp, Bitterfontein, Garries, Karkams, Kammieskroon, Springbok, Pofadder, Alheit, Kakemas, Keimoes, Upington, Groblershoop, Griqua town, Campbell, Schmitsdrift, Kimberley, Petrusburg, Bloemfontein, Ventersburg, Kroonstad, Viljoenskroon, Orkney, Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, Carletonville, Randfontein, Krugersdorp, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bronkhorstspruit, Delmas, Devon, Leandra, Kinross, Trichard, Bethal, Ermelo, Amersfoort, Volksrust, Charlestown, Newcastle, Ladysmith, Colenso, Frere, Escourt, Mooirivier, Stanmore, Howick, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown, Durban, Amanzimtoti, Scottsburgh, Sezela, Hibberdene, Port Shepstone, Paddock, Harding, Kokstad, Mount Ayliff, Mount Frere, Mthatha, Dutywa, Butterworth, Gonubie, East London, Berlin, King Williams Town, Peddie, Grahamstown, Salem, Kenton-on-sea, Alexandria, Ncanara, Colchester, Bluewater Bay, Port Elizabeth, Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Sedgefield, Wilderness.
He will also do motivational talks and visit community and national radio stations in various towns on his way.
“By doing the Ten Million Steps for Cancer I wish to share and demonstrate the tough road that those who are suffering from cancer are on daily. This project is my passion and lies very close to my heart. I know from experience what people and their families go through when a person suffers from cancer and would love to make a difference to all of them.”
When done in the right way, for the right reasons and pure motives the Ten Million Steps for Cancer Project will contribute towards a sustainable awareness, sensitivity and financial support trust for the fight against cancer.
Since we never know who will be next, everyone is affected by the quest for a sustainable and successful campaign against the slumbering cancer murderer that appears untimely and in many disguises.
Banking details: donations to trust: Bank: ABSA Beneficiary: Ten Million steps for cancer Trust Account number: 9264551428
donations- running cost of project: ABSA Benificiery: Ten million steps for cancer Account number : 9259933348
Swift code for overseas donators: ABSAJJ
Adress for overseas donators: 66 High street, Oudtshoorn, 6625
