Tannah gives back
Mrs Bloemfield said in 2013 she learnt through her daughter’s doctor that Netcare had lost donors for their foundation that helps patients with cleft lips and palates to undergo surgery.
Although Bedfordview resident Mrs Judy Bloomfield knew her daughter would be born with a cleft lip and palate, she had no idea how many lives she would change for the better.
Her daughter, Tannah, is now seven years old and has had three operations thus far, along with speech therapy sessions to correct the effects of the condition.
Mrs Bloemfield said in 2013 she learnt through her daughter’s doctor that Netcare had lost donors for their foundation that helps patients with cleft lips and palates to undergo surgery.
The patients are usually from disadvantaged communities.
“At the time I was busy organising a golf day for my husband and I knew I had to do something to help. So I partnered with Netcare and donated all the proceeds from the event to the foundation. That is how Tannah’s Gift was born,” said Mrs Bloemfield.
Through the charity, the family raises money and donates to the foundation.
Mrs Bloemfield said one of the highlights for her was giving an 18-year-old girl a second chance at life.
“She underwent surgery and the began to speak, at 18.
She has now started speech therapy as well as school. It was such a humbling experience to be able to have something to do with her progress,” said Mrs Bloemfield.
She said she receives calls from mothers of benefiting children who seek advice on dealing with the condition.
“Most of them want to know how I fed my daughter. Feeding can be a big challenge when your baby has a cleft lip, so the more support one has the better,” said the mother of two.
Netcare recently awarded Tannah’s Gift a Sizanani Award for its contribution to the foundation.
Asked what she wants to be when she grows up, Tannah said she wants to own a candy store. She said she likes to help others because it makes her feel good and she likes making a difference.
The seven-year-old has a lemonade stand. She sells lemonade during the fundraisers and profits made also forms part of the money donated by the charity to the Netcare foundation.
Mrs Bloemfield said to date the family has donated R170 000 through Tannah’s Gift to the foundation.
The next golf day will be held at Huddle Park and is set to take place on April 7.
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