Cancer Survivor aiming to finish Argus Cycle Tour!
The Sunnydale Animal Sterilisation and Health Association, SASHA, runs sterilisation and primary health care programs in the local poorer communities, and they also have a busy schedule of education sessions in the local schools organised for 2008.
SASHA had to reduce activities to a minimum when veterinarian Dr Robson was diagnosed with cancer in July 2006 and had to undergo surgery followed by both chemo- and radiotherapy. However, she continued to sterilise animals throughout the treatment and, despite the Doctor’s cancer, and very limited funds, SASHA has sterilised over 400 pets since work started in June 2006. SASHA uses a ‘door-to-door’ approach in the communities in which it works, as this is how the cases of greatest need are often discovered and valuable interaction with communities is gained.
The main focus is to sterilise as many dogs and cats in disadvantaged communities as possible, reducing the number of unwanted and abused animals. While there are several organisations doing excellent work re-homing unwanted animals, SASHA aims to get to the cause (uncontrolled breeding) rather than the symptom (too many animals).
In order to boost SASHA's income and public awareness, Dr Robson completed the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon on Easter Saturday, 7th April 2007, despite only recently finishing her treatment. SASHA raised about R34,000 through this venture, which all went towards assisting ‘impoverished pets’. This year, with the arduous treatment over (and hopefully never to be repeated), she will be cycling in the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour in aid of SASHA. The Tour happens to be on her 50th birthday, 9th March 2008. She will be accompanied by Helen Appelboam, a veterinary surgeon from the UK, who is coming to assist SASHA with their sterilisation campaigns in the first 2 weeks of March.
Helen is going to try and bring sponsorship from England with her, but Yvonne needs sponsorship for the race from companies and individuals. Please contact us on 021 785 4748 or 073 680 1175 if you are able to assist.
