Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer, a non-profit organisation, raises awareness about the early warning signs of childhood cancer and helps to raise funds for children who are fighting the illness. Through their ‘Cupcakes of Hope’ events, volunteers, sponsors and bakers share their love for baking for this great cause.
Sandy Cipriano, the founder of Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer, said: “Our Cupcake Angels are baking a difference. We have been able to assist more than 350 children since inception. The funds raised go towards paying for medical treatments, travelling costs, school fees, birthday celebrations and other day-to-day expenses of little ones battling cancer. We also conduct hospital visits and spoil the patients and staff with lovely cupcakes. It is great to see the smiles on children’s faces when they see a cupcake.” This charity has also donated to 15 different charities including CHOC, Cansa TLC and The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust.
Spread the cupcake love by getting your school or company involved. Become a Cupcake Angel by hosting your own ‘Party of Hope’. This is a fun way to create awareness and to help raise funds for children with cancer. Interested schools and businesses can register to receive a free Angel Party Pack, which includes leaflets, badges and baking cups. For more info contact Michelle at admin@cupcakesofhope.org.
Become a Cupcake Angel – the sweetest way to save a life
According to Dr Jennifer Geel, a paediatric oncologist at Wits Donald Gordon, it is very important to know what the early warning signs of childhood cancer are; early detection can save a child’s life.
This is why Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer has designed an infographic which will help concerned parents to identify warning symptoms and the best course of action if they suspect that their children might have cancer. This is available in six of the national languages and can be printed from their website.
Angus, a childhood cancer survivor, is concerned that there is a lot of awareness for other terminal diseases in schools but not enough about cancer. “We are not educated enough about this in schools, it is people like Sandy Cipriano who are going a long way to save children’s lives with the Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer awareness. I am grateful that I was diagnosed at a stage when it could still be treated.”
When you get hold of an ‘early warning signs of cancer’ pamphlet, share it with a neighbour or a friend. It might go a long way in helping the next person identify the symptoms in their relative or colleague. Teresa, Angus’s mother said: “Knowing what I know now, all the signs were there. If I had a pamphlet I would have been informed and picked up on it much earlier”. There is not enough awareness for childhood cancer symptoms; therefore we encourage everyone who is informed, to share the message with their close friends and family. Early detection saves lives.
Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer will be hosting South Africa’s fourth National Cupcake Day on September 26, at 69 malls across the country. This is their main fundraising event so please come and show your support. For only a R10 donation you can receive a delicious cupcake made with love.
To find a full list of beneficiaries or to see how you can get involved, visit www.cupcakesofhope.org
