Breast cancer's Pink Panther strikes again

His moniker might be that of a cartoon character, but there is nothing funny about Anand Manilal's cause.

Manilal, 46, is running his fifth Comrades Marathon this year, his fourth in support of the national breast cancer community carer Pink Drive.

The father of two, who decks himself out in bright pink running gear, has become a familiar sight to other runners on race day.

"To those working for the Pink Drive, I am known as the Pink Panther. The way I see it, is that you have to create awareness for your cause. If you see this guy running in all-pink gear rather than with just one small badge or logo, you'll want to know who he is and why he's doing it."

A risk engineer at Benoni-based Emerald Insurance, Manilal structured a sweet deal with his employer.

"For every Comrades and Two Oceans marathons I run, they double whatever I raise. It's fantastic because the charity always wins."

Manilal, a former Durban fireman, was put onto the Comrades Marathon path after making a bet with a colleague that he could finish the long-distance race.

After the first race in 2002, he took up studying again. In 2007, however, he lost his sister to cancer. Two years later, his mother died after her battle with the disease.

"In 2010, I decided I was going to run again. But this time, I would do it for a cause, and what better cause than this?

"Sai Baba said 'the best seva you can do, is to do something from your body', and I truly believe that."

Earlier this year, Manilal lost another family member to cancer.

"My brother-in-law passed away, so this year I am running in honour of each of them and Angelina Jolie for her brave decision."

Manilal has raised R5000 so far.

To contribute to his fundraising, e-mail: anand@emeraldsa.co.za.