Tell hosts first-ever padel tournament for kidney awareness
The unicorn-themed tournament at Jozi Padel in Magaliessig drew in a diverse crowd of families, community members, and padel enthusiasts, for an unforgettable event.
The Transplant Education for Living Legacies (Tell) hosted their very first padel tournament which is aimed at raising awareness for organ donation. This successful event generated over R20 000 for the organisation to be used to further raise awareness about organ and tissue donation.
The event was a vibrant family affair, with the unicorn-themed tournament attracting community members and padel enthusiasts alike to Jozi Padel in Magaliessig.
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The day featured three hours of competitive play, with two groups – one advanced and one novice – battling it out on the courts. The top players were honoured during the prize-giving ceremony, which capped off an exciting day of sport and camaraderie.
In addition, the event offered free kidney health screenings conducted by Pathcare’s medical personnel, with over 70 people taking advantage of the service.
Tell’s managing director Stella de Kock said participants who underwent screenings were also treated to free ice lollies, adding a sweet touch to the day’s activities.
“Harcourts generously sponsored goodie bags for all 32 players, and the event featured gazebo stands from Harcourts, Pathcare, and Tell, providing information and support to attendees.”
Also read: It’s Kidney Awareness Week
De Kock said what made the event even more fun was that it included a fun-filled photo selfie wall and a 360° video booth, both popular with guests.
“The day’s unicorn theme, centred around Tell’s mascot Zane the Zunicorn, highlighted the importance of organ and tissue donation in a way that resonated with both children and adults. Zane’s story, where he receives a leg from his friend Zebra, serves as a gentle introduction to the concept of sharing one’s spare organs to save lives.
“This fundraiser was not just about padel, it was also about education. With National Kidney Awareness Week running from September 2 to 6, the timing of the event was perfect to emphasise the importance of kidney health. The public was educated on the risks and treatment options for kidney disease, a condition that affects one in eight South Africans, many of whom are unaware they have it.”
De Kock said South Africa has one of the highest rates of end-stage kidney failure globally, coupled with a low rate of organ and tissue donation. The fundraiser aimed to address this by encouraging conversations about organ donation and highlighting the critical need for more donors.
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