Ethan Bain and his crew, Team Vineyard, are running the Cape Town Marathon, not just for the finish line but for hope—honouring his late sisters, his father’s fight with cancer, and the courage of every child battling this relentless disease.
Western Cape, South Africa (16 October 2024) – Ethan Bain is lacing up for something much bigger than a race. This year, the 22-year-old son of one of the founders of “The Cows” is taking on the Cape Town Marathon with a purpose, a deeply personal one. It’s not just about the miles; it’s about the hope he carries with him, in memory of his sisters, in honour of his father’s battle and for his housemate who was recently diagnosed.
The Bain family has faced more heartbreak than most can even imagine, yet through it all, they’ve held onto hope. They’ve lived it, shared it, and now Ethan is running for it.
Grant and Kerrin Bain lost their daughters, Jessica and Georgia, to cancer, and now, Grant himself is facing his own fight. But instead of being consumed by despair, Ethan is using his grief, his love for his family, and his determination to make a difference. Together with five friends, he’s running the Cape Town Marathon to raise money for CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa), an organisation that’s been close to the Bain family’s heart since the devastating loss of their daughters.
Ethan’s journey began with the story of his parents, who started The Cows to fundraise for CHOC after their youngest daughter, Jessica, passed away at just 20 months old. In 2007, when Jess was 10 months old, she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer.
“Overnight in April 2007, our lives changed completely, and we spent more time in hospital than at home,” Kerrin shares.
Jessica endured chemotherapy, collapsed lungs, and a stem cell transplant before her little body couldn’t take any more. She passed away in February 2008. But her spirit, as her mother says, was “hope in action,” and that hope lives on through everything The Cows stand for… making a difference, celebrating life, and fighting for children facing cancer.
Nine years later, the unthinkable happened again. Their daughter Georgia was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of nine. Despite surgery, radiation, and chemo, the tumour returned.
Kerrin explains that Georgia was “courageous and brave”.
In December 2019, after a long battle, Georgia passed away at home, surrounded by the love and peace her family fought so hard to give her.
And then, two years ago, Grant Bain, the heart of this resilient family, was diagnosed with cancer.
Despite all of this, the Bains are not defeated.
Ethan’s marathon mission is a way to honour the memory of his sisters and to show his father that the fight for hope continues. With five of his friends, Ethan is gearing up to take on the Cape Town Marathon on 20th October 2024.
Their goal isn’t just to cross the finish line but to raise funds and awareness for CHOC, helping other families navigate the devastating world of childhood cancer.
“Along the way and on the day, we aim to raise funds for CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA, a remarkable organisation supporting children with cancer and their families,” says Ethan.
“Cancer is a battle no person, and especially a child, should face alone, and we believe every step we take can bring hope, motivation, and healing. By running this marathon, we are not only challenging ourselves physically but also championing and honouring the brave children who fight cancer every day.”
Ethan, along with Dom Von Honne, James Henderson, James Fleming, Stephan Liebenberg and Matthew van der Linde, has already raised over R85,000, with hopes of bringing in much more by the time the race arrives. They’re calling on South Africans to join the cause, to support CHOC and to be part of something truly special.
Running together as “Team Vineyard,” the six young men are also dedicating their efforts to their 7th housemate, Tom Walters, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. This race is not just for the Bains but for Tom, too, and for every family that has faced the challenges of this terrible disease.
They are running for hope.
Hope that even in the face of unimaginable loss, we can continue to fight, to make a difference and to honour those we’ve lost by supporting those still in the battle.
Every step this team takes is a reminder that hope is powerful and it’s something we can all carry forward.
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