Community opens its heart to gift givers
The public recently helped CHOC raise R17 000 at a gift wrapping stand at the La Lucia Mall, which will be used to help young cancer patients receive treatment.
SOMETIMES the smallest act of kindness can have the biggest impact, which is what staff and volunteers of CHOC, the Childhood Cancer Foundation SA, discovered at their annual gift wrapping station at La Lucia Mall.
For the past five years the NPO, based in Cato Manor, has been managing a stall at the centre where they wrap gifts during the Christmas season for a donation.
This year their efforts have managed to raise R17 000. “It is such a privilege to have such support from both the centre and the community. Every year the funds have increased. In 2013 we raised R14 000,” said Agie Govender, the KZN regional manager for CHOC.
With the funds raised the organisation has been able to assist young cancer patients who would not have been able to receive treatment.
“Many children who need treatment do not live in close proximity to a clinic or medical centre where the treatment is provided and often default on treatment. With these funds we can finance their stay at a CHOC ‘lodge’ where they can stay with a parent or caretaker while receiving the required treatment,” Govender explained.
She added that frightening statistics have revealed that only 10 to 20 per cent of children from low income homes are diagnosed and treated compared to the 80 or 90 per cent in high income homes.
