Landé champions Sunflower Fund’s cause
We speak to one of the newest ambassadors for the Miles4Marrow campaign for The Sunflower Fund.
A GOOD place to start an interview with Landé Williamson, is to ask, what hasn’t she done. The La Lucia resident is a regular on the Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) scene, a triathlon competitor, and an all Africa and South Africa record-holder in angling.
Her biggest contribution however, and one the 32-year-old is passionate about, is being an ambassador for the Miles4Marrow campaign for The Sunflower Fund.
Northglen News recently caught up with her to find out how she got involved in the movement to raise funds and awareness for the organisation.
“For me it’s quite personal as my husband has lost both his parents to cancer. I’ve also lost my grandad to cancer and my gran has been fighting cancer for about two years now. I know first-hand what it’s like to care for someone who is fighting this disease. It’s not an easy road to walk and takes a substantial amount of strength and determination from a person. What I love about this The Sunflower Fund and its Miles4Marrow campaign is that is creates awareness as well as educates people about the process of bone marrow testing and recruiting donors.
“The more donors found, the higher the chance of a leukaemia patient finding their 1 in 100 000 match. What us athletes are doing by campaigning is spreading some belief, it’s amazing how a little hope can go a long way towards helping someone. Leukaemia patients spend months on end in hospital isolation wards and are not able to enjoy the small things that give us joy in life, such as climbing on your surf board and catching a few waves after a long day’s work or even going for a run at sunrise. For me nothing beats being out on the ocean on my SUP, it’s my ultimate happy place,” she said.
The former Atholton Primary School pupil recently competed in the Tinman series in which she ended third.
“It was great feeling, crossing the finish line. I didn’t train for the race, which was even more incredible. Every event I take part in this year, I’m dedicating to The Sunflower Fund. I’m really excited to cover some miles over the next few months in the pursuit of raising funds,” she said.
