A message carried through Ruimsig
A 1 500km pedal-powered journey passed through Roodepoort on 27 October, bringing attention to the practical pressures faced by children with cancer and the families supporting them. Brazilian humanitarian activist José Geraldo de Souza Castro, widely known as Zé do Pedal, stopped in the area during his route from Johannesburg to Cape Town.
The 69-year-old campaigner met members of the Lions Club Ruimsig as part of his Kilometres of Hope initiative. The campaign is intended to raise awareness and funds for children and teenagers with cancer, as well as their families, through support for the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa. His journey is taking him through Gauteng, North West, the Northern Cape and Western Cape, with arrival in Cape Town expected on 2 December.
Support beyond the treatment ward
The Roodepoort stop brought the focus beyond the medical treatment itself. For many families, the demands begin as soon as a child is diagnosed: travelling to appointments, finding a place to stay near a hospital and managing the emotional strain of long periods away from home can all become part of the experience.
“Families need support beyond the hospital. CHOC helps children with cancer and their families through emotional and practical support, including transport to treatment and accommodation for those travelling far from home,” De Souza Castro said.
CHOC’s support includes assistance with transport to treatment, accommodation for families who must travel long distances, food parcels and care bags. Those services are aimed at easing some of the daily pressures that can make an already difficult period harder for households with limited resources or no nearby specialist care.
How residents can support the campaign
Residents do not need to be part of the route to contribute to the campaign. De Souza Castro said community members could help by making a donation, sharing information about the journey or offering support as he travels between towns and cities. Businesses can also participate by sponsoring kilometres or using their networks to encourage donations to CHOC.
- Residents: donate, share campaign information or support the journey along the route.
- Businesses: sponsor kilometres or promote the initiative through their networks.
- Families affected by childhood cancer: CHOC provides practical and emotional support, including transport and accommodation assistance.
De Souza Castro said contributions of any size could make a difference, underlining that the campaign is also about keeping childhood cancer visible in communities. For Roodepoort, the visit offered a direct connection between a local civic organisation and a national support effort that assists families dealing with treatment far from home.
Journey from Europe to Cape Town
The South African expedition follows an earlier journey through Europe. De Souza Castro, a past district governor of the Lions Club, is completing the current trip in a pedal-powered go-kart rather than a conventional vehicle. His route links communities across four provinces while carrying the campaign’s message towards the Western Cape.
| Campaign detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Roodepoort visit | 27 October |
| Journey | Johannesburg to Cape Town |
| Distance | 1 500km |
| Expected destination date | 2 December |
| Beneficiary organisation | CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa |
As the journey continues, the message from the Roodepoort stop remains focused on the needs that follow a cancer diagnosis. Access to treatment is only one part of the challenge; getting to hospital, securing accommodation and maintaining support for children and caregivers can determine how manageable the road ahead becomes. The campaign is calling on communities to turn awareness into practical assistance for families living through that journey.
