Sinjon won’t let cancer get kids down
After his grandfather died, he decided he wanted to do something about cancer.
SINJON Whittal (12) is wise for his age. He knows that if something really bothers you, don’t just talk about it – take action!
The young ambassador for Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer is on a mission to create awareness in children about childhood cancer. He even took part in the Guinness World Record attempt to build the tallest cupcake tower in the world.
Sinjon is a Grade Six learner at Waterstone College and lives in Golf Park, Meyerton. It’s the perfect place for him to live, too, as he is passionate about golf.
Over the past few years, Sinjon has been actively involved with National Cupcake Day and other fund-raising events through which he has raised more than R15 000 in aid of cancer patients and their loves ones. At the various golf tournaments he participated in, Sinjon took advantage of the eyes and ears present to hand out pamphlets and create awareness about the early detection signs of childhood cancer.
This year, Sinjon will again take part in National Cupcake Day. With the help of his family, he will be exchanging cupcakes for donations at Alberton City Shopping Centre in aid of 50 cancer patients and their families.
The RECORD spoke to Sinjon about his interests and dreams and to find out what drives him to help children with cancer.
AR: How do you enjoy spending your free time?
SW: If I am not playing golf, I spend my free time playing games or tennis, or spending time with my dog, Liquorice (she is a black Labrador retriever).
AR: What do you want to be when you grow up?
SW: When I grow up, I would like to be a professional golfer, playing on the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) and PGA European Tour.
AR: Why do you care so much about helping kids with cancer?
SW: I lost my grandfather five years ago to cancer and I saw how much pain and suffering he went through when he was receiving all his treatment. If he went through that pain and suffering, the children go through just as much hardship. My grandmother was part of the very first Guinness World Record attempt by Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer to build the tallest cupcake tower, and they achieved it while my grandfather was receiving his treatment. After my grandfather passed away, I decided that I wanted to do something about cancer. My parents encouraged me to focus on children, as they are my peers. That’s when I became involved. Through my golf, I approached Mrs Sandy Cipriano, the founder of Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer. I spoke to her and we both became very excited about me becoming a junior ambassador for Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer, where I spread awareness about the early detection signs of childhood cancer to the various children I meet and play golf with.
AR: What achievement are you most proud of and why?
SW: One of my biggest achievements was received last year. I was awarded the Nan Ryan Award for Sportsmanship by SA Kids Golf. This is a really huge honour for me, as Nan Ryan is such a well-known international name in women’s golf. Last year, I also raised over R10 000, which I used to take some of the cancer patients and their families out to the People’s Theatre in Johannesburg to go watch Shrek Junior. The balance of the money left was donated to a super little man, Jordan Van Tonder. He has a rare thyroid cancer and can only receive his treatment in North America. His family need all the help they can get to ensure he gets his life-saving treatment every six months. Also, last year at school I was awarded the Pam Golding Community Service award with another student, Sheldon Spears, which I’m really proud of.
AR: What is your biggest dream in life?
SW: To be a professional golfer while spreading the message of Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer around the globe, raising as much funds as possible for those affected by cancer.
AR: Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
SW: My biggest inspiration in life is Brandon Stone. He is a professional golfer on the PGA European Tour. He has had three awesome career wins to date and he is also an ambassador for Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer. He is a gentleman both on and off the golf course. He has inspired me to work as hard as possible to become the best possible golfer and to open my heart to others in need.
AR: Any plans for the future in terms of helping others?
SW: My family and I will be running the Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer tables for National Cupcake Day on September 29 at Alberton City Shopping Centre. This is the biggest fund-raising event of the year for us. I am also planning a Cupcake Party of Hope at my mom’s workplace, Absa, later this year. I will also keep spreading the message of childhood cancer early detection signs through my golf tournaments.
AR: What time will you start selling cupcakes on September 29 and what will they cost?
SW: I will be at Alberton City from 8.30am until 6pm on September 29. We ask for a donation of minimum R10 per cupcake. If a person cannot make it to Alberton City, there will be Cupcake Angels at The Glen and Mall of the South – at 79 malls across South Africa, in fact. You can visit www.cupcakesofhope.org to find a mall closest to you.
AR: Any message that you would like to share with the readers?
SW: Please open your hearts and get involved by hosting a Party of Hope, which is a ton of fun. You can host one at your house, school or among friends, just to name a few places. We are also in need of bakers or donors to help bake and/or donate cupcakes for us on September 29. The aim is to have 2 000 cupcakes on the day. If anyone would like to donate cupcakes or find out how to host a Party of Hope, you are welcome to contact my dad, Gregory, on 083 299 8323 or email him on gregory@atnursery.co.za for arrangements.
*Photos supplied by Whittal family
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