Capetonians Unite For Cancer Awareness At Cavendish Square
Cavendish Square Hosts a Public Cancer Awareness Activation With Living With Cancer SA and Community Messages of Hope
Cape Town, 9 June 2025 — Compassion once again took centre stage in the Mother City as Cavendish Square partnered with Living with Cancer SA for a moving cancer awareness initiative this past weekend. More than just a campaign, it was a heartfelt expression of solidarity, remembrance, and resilience, capturing the spirit of Capetonians willing to stand alongside those touched by cancer.
At the heart of the activation stood a powerful centre court installation — an enormous cancer ribbon gradually filled with brightly coloured balls. Each ball carried a message, a name, or a word of hope, written by visitors before being placed inside the ribbon. This evolving artwork quickly became a living monument of remembrance and unity, growing fuller as the hours passed, reflecting the city’s quiet but resolute support.
Cavendish Square also facilitated engagement with the Living with Cancer SA national patient registry, providing visitors an opportunity to register as patients, survivors, caregivers, or family members. The growing database aims to strengthen care strategies, advocacy, and cancer awareness efforts nationally.
The campaign reached a poignant high point on Saturday, 31 May, when Belinda Wagner, founder of Living with Cancer SA, personally addressed visitors. Wagner, a respected voice in cancer advocacy, shared her personal story and underscored the importance of small gestures in building a culture of support and openness.
“This project wasn’t about large gestures. It was about small, deeply personal ones,” remarked Faizah Behardien, Centre Manager at Cavendish Square. “Watching people stop, write a name, and take a moment was what made this activation so impactful.”
Wagner described the nationwide response to the Your Cancer Counts initiative and the inaugural Cancer Survivors Day statue campaign as both humbling and deeply inspiring. What began as a symbolic tribute has sparked a broader national conversation about survivor advocacy and support for cancer patients in South Africa.
“This is more than a once-off event; it’s the start of an annual tradition to ensure no one faces cancer alone,” Wagner emphasised.
Through initiatives like these, Cavendish Square continues to position itself as more than a retail destination. It has become a communal hub for solidarity, healing, and meaningful connection in times that call for collective resilience.
For more information about Living with Cancer SA and how to get involved, visit Living with Cancer SA. To learn more about Cavendish Square, visit www.cavendish.co.za or follow their Instagram @cavendishsquare.
