CANSA and SkirtgirlHiker Foundation Unite for World Ostomy Day with Awareness Hikes Across South Africa

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) together with the SkirtgirlHiker Foundation will observe World Ostomy Day on Saturday, 4 October 2025, with special hikes and walks taking place at three scenic locations:

• uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve, uMhlanga (KwaZulu-Natal)
• Kloofendal Nature Reserve, Roodepoort (Gauteng)
• Cecilia Forest, Constantia, Cape Town (Western Cape)

These walks are being held to raise awareness of the lives of people living with stomas and to call for dignity, support, and improved care.

“Many ostomates live with dignity, but too many are isolated, under-supported, or unable to access the supplies and care they need. Our walks in Johannesburg, uMhlanga and Constantia will be more than symbolic — they are a call for justice, compassion and practical change,” says Lorraine Govender, CANSA National Manager: Health Programmes.

Although estimates suggest that around 60,000 people in South Africa are living with a stoma, there is currently no official national registry, and experts believe the true number may be higher (Spotlight, 18 Apr 2023; Health-e News, 29 Aug 2023).

These events are free and open to the public — welcoming patients, caregivers, healthcare workers, and community members. By joining, participants will show solidarity with ostomates, help reduce stigma, and celebrate the strength and resilience of this community.

Lerato Monyatsi, ostomate, outdoor enthusiast and founder of Skirtgirlhiker Foundation shares what observing World Ostomy Day means to her, “As someone living permanently as an ostomate following my colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2020, I have experienced firsthand the challenges and triumphs of this journey. As an outdoor enthusiast, I’ve continued to climb mountains, being an ostomate has never held me back. It is therefore important for me to partner with CANSA and raise awareness that being an ostomate is not the end of living a full, healthy, and active life.

Marking World Ostomy Day is about creating a space where ostomates, their families, and friends can come together to share stories, strengthen support systems, and remind one another that no one is alone. This year, as we embrace the theme, ‘Visible Support: The Global Unity of Ostomates,’ we celebrate resilience, empower communities, and inspire hope for all living with an ostomy.”.

CANSA is committed to supporting ostomates and their families through a wide range of stoma support services:

Stoma Counselling: Free pre- and post-operative counselling to empower ostomates and their families with the knowledge and skills needed to cope day-to-day.

Tele Stoma Support: A life-line for those living far from a CANSA Care Centre. Make an appointment via CANSA’s Toll-Free line (0800 22 66 22) or email info@cansa.org.za for stoma-specific advice and support from a trained stoma consultant.

Sale of Stoma Products and Accessories: Affordable stoma supplies from trusted brands (Coloplast, Convatec, Hollister, BBraun, Ligamed) are available through the CANSA Pretoria Stoma Clinic, with courier services offered nationwide.

Stoma Clinics: At selected CANSA Care Centres, ostomates can book appointments with qualified stoma therapists for lifestyle advice, skin care guidance, and practical product support.

Join us and show your support by registering to take part in a World Ostomy Day Hike or Walk via Quicket: https://qkt.io/WUEr6r

Together, we can raise awareness, break the stigma, and advocate for a better quality of life for ostomates in South Africa.

For further information or queries regarding the event, contact Melissa Zaayman via mzaayman@cansa.org.za

(For more information, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication at CANSA at email lbalona@cansa.org.za. Call 011 616 7662 or mobile 082 459 5230).

Published: 26 September 2025 | Last Updated: 8 October 2025
Categories: Media Releases & News, Men's Health, Women's Health