Durban - Olympian Chad le Clos has lent his famous baby face to a cause close to his heart.
He is growing a moustache this month, part of the Movember campaign to raise awareness about men’s health issues, in particular prostate and testicular cancer.
But before nature could be left to add stiff bristles to his upper lip, a blank facial canvas was required, so a shave-off session was booked. Earlier this week Chad and his almost-as-famous dad, Bert, had their faces razored at The Barber by Gerald Wells, in Hillcrest.
The Le Clos family have been hard hit by cancer.
Bert le Clos underwent surgery for prostate cancer in June, and Chad's mother, Geraldine, had earlier undergone a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.
“My family was affected very badly because it’s not some kind of a disease that can be treated easily, and especially since we found out about it when we had to travel to the Rio Olympics,” said Bert.
He said it was important for men be tested for prostate cancer regularly.
“If you catch it at an early stage, you will be able treat it. I was fortunate it was removed before I went to Rio,” he said.
Chad said he was happy to be part of the campaign.
“If more people are involved it can save many lives, because if you don’t know that you have, it can kill you.”
Chad said when he found out his father was ill, he realised family was the most important thing to him. “Life can throw you many challenges, but you just have to go through it and make the best out of the entire situation.”
The ordeal had helped remind the Le Clos family they had to accept life’s realities and take care.
Garron Gsell, chief executive and founder of the Men’s Foundation which drives Movember in South Africa, said they got involved in the campaign in 2009.
“We are proud to say we have raised more than R6billion and have invested it in more than 1 200 programmes in 21 countries.
“We have partnered with the Cancer Association South Africa and recently with the SA Depression and Anxiety group, for men who suffer depression.”