On the 25th of February 2011, Birchwood Hotel and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) joined forces to host the first ever corporate challenge Shavathon. The aim of this event is to get companies involved in the annual CANSA Shavathon by challenging each other to see which company can bring the most participants.

Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre have pledged allegiance to CANSA and this initiative was one of the many projects the hotel aims to assist with in 2011. Knowing that the fight against Cancer starts with awareness and education about the disease, Birchwood encouraged staff members to get involved and the result was many colourful heads helping guests throughout the Hotel on Friday.

It was a fun and memorable day where many learnt about the disease while donating their R50 towards support of Cancer survivors. 58 people participated, including guests of the Birchwood hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre.
“We have taken an initiative to be part of many South Africans who are doing their bits to create awareness around how beatable CANSA can be. Part of our contribution to the society is to host this as an annual event and we hope our 2012 event will see more participants” reports Jazzman Mahlakgane, Marketing Director of Birchwood Hotel.

For details about how to enter your company for the 2012 corporate challenge, contact Deidre Jonker on (011) 897 0112 or email deidrej@birchwoodhotel.co.za

	Left to right: Lloyd Marshall, Sales Manager; Maurice Strijp, Operations Director; Jazzman Mahlekgane, Marketing Director of Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre show their support for CANSA
	Emlyn Bull, Centre Manager at Birchwood Hotel Shaves in head in memory of his aunt Beverly Nauhaus who passed away after struggling with Cancer on the 7th of February 2011.
	Paul Magnuson, a delegate attending a conference at Birchwood Hotel on Friday joined in the fun.
	The Birchwood Team: Dwayne Hoffman, Deidre Jonker, Emlyn Bull, Sello Soto, Christo De Wee, David Switala