NPO Rare Diseases South Africa has launched its Give a F*ck/#ProfanitiesForPurpose Campaign, centred around the use of curse words as means to raise money.
Kelly du Plessis, CEO and lead patient advocate at the NPO, explained Rare Diseases SA is asking the public to swear – a lot – and then donate for doing it.
All the funds are being collected to start a procurement fund for high-cost medicine for patients impacted by rare diseases.
“Maybe you stubbed your toe getting out of bed. Maybe a taxi cut you off in traffic or perhaps you got an email you were hoping not to receive. The most average of us will curse about 80 times over a day – that’s more than three times per hour.
“And if you have ever suppressed the urge to unleash a string of obscenities, Rare Diseases SA is hoping you will think again and simply let the filth fly – after all, it’s for a good cause,” du Plessis said.
She said South Africa has no formalised rare diseases policy and it is her opinion this community is simply being ignored and told their medications are “too expensive”.
“That is offensive! Put another way, their lives are not worth that much. But we think they are!
“We want to elevate public understanding of rare diseases, advocate for patient care and support and help navigate the challenges that people living with chronic illnesses, including rare and genetic disorders, and their families, face every day – and this fund is a start to helping with the high-cost of medicine.”
Rare Diseases hopes to raise R100-million to kick start this risk equalisation fund which will spread the cost of treating these diseases evenly across the private and public sectors.
“Yes, it’s ambitious. But we believe our patients deserve access to healthcare and to make an impact, we have to think outside the box,” said du Plessis.
ALSO READ: Morehill resident proudly a rare disease ambassador
To swear or not to swear?
And if you need some more convincing, a study found that swearing can enhance the effectiveness and persuasiveness of an argument.
In addition, cursing can also convey an emotional reaction to something without us resorting to physical violence.
Another study, in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, found that letting out a few choice words during a workout can actually make you stronger.
Some brain research even suggests that profanity is a healthy stress release, especially when we’re in pain.
And, while many might consider swearing less than savoury, a study revealed that people who curse often actually lie less and have a higher degree of integrity.
To curse is to be human
“Not giving a f**k has become almost a new movement, and its prevalence only serves to highlight the extent to which most people really do care.
“It makes us feel like we’re all in it together. It makes us feel a little less detached, a little more understood. It makes us human,” added du Plessis.
“So, we offer our apologies if you’re averse to the word f**k. We rather like it because it brings in donations to a cause we are passionate about, and we hope South Africa will be too.
“So, create a swear jar. Encourage friends and families to participate and join our #SwearingForCaring and #ProfanitiesForPurpose campaign.”
For more information on the campaign visit: Give a Fuck (givefucks.org) or Profanities For Purpose on Facebook.
ALSO READ: Rynfield woman needs funds to beat rare cancer
