South Africa’s Proteas Don Pink to Raise R1M to Fight Cancer

In support of World Cancer Day on 4 February, and the international awareness campaign it promotes, the Proteas will play a Pink One Day International on 12 February that Cricket South Africa hopes will raise R1 million.

This will be the the third time the Proteas have donned pink for the cause. According to CSA, previous events have raised almost R500,000 for local cancer awareness programmes and non-profit organizations, and this year CSA hopes to raise R1 million. (Fans can contribute by sending an SMS with the keyword PINKDRIVE to 40158.) The money is used to buy mobile mammography and gynaecology testing centres.

The Pink One Day International (ODI) against England will be at Wanderers, Johannesburg, on 12 February.

Watch the ad for the pink ODI event:

“The Pink ODI (will) mobilise cricket fans and the CSA family in support of a most worthy cause,” said CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat at the PinkDrive launch on 26 January.

International cricket’s association with cancer awareness began in 2005, with the formation of the McGrath Foundation by former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath and his wife, Jane.

Following Jane McGrath’s initial diagnosis and successful treatment for breast cancer, the couple wanted to use their status in the cricketing world and Australian society to draw attention to the need for cancer technology research and awareness for women, particularly young women, to have regular cancer checks.

The pink-themed cricket events boosted its popularity, first in Australian domestic competitions and later in official games by the national side.

As is tradition for the PinkDrive match, sponsors have offered players game incentives to add to the contributions.

Momentum will donate R10,000 for every six hit into its family area spectators’ zone and R100,000 for every boundary that hits a giant inflatable M placed in the arena.

Castle wants to donate R10,000 for every catch of the day, while R2.50 from every beer sold on the day will also be donated to PinkDrive.

Venue sponsors Bidvest will donate R1 000 every time the ball hits the (pink, naturally) branded boundary rope.

Sadly, Jane McGrath died in 2008, but her memory lives on in the pink initiatives held by cricketing nations around the world on World Cancer Day, including in South Africa

Source: SouthAfrica.Info