GET ready for The Sunflower Fund’s annual Hyper 5km Fun Run/ Walk for Charity on Sunday, 25 September. The event is set to start at the Amphitheatre in front of Suncoast at 9.30am.
People of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to participate as all the money raised on the day will be used to help patients diagnosed with leukaemia.
Stephanie Berry, the regional manager of The Sunflower Fund, said they hoped to reach a target of 3 000 participants.
Every year hundreds of South Africans with blood diseases, such as leukaemia reach the point where their only chance of survival is a stem cell transplant. The main problem is finding a compatible stem cell donor, explained Mandy Bergsma, The Sunflower Fund’s donor recruitment specialist.
“Ethnicity plays a major role here, because it is all about finding a tissue match not a blood type match. People currently have a 1 in 100 000 chance to find a donor match in his or her own ethnic group,” she said.
Dozens of pupils from Northlands Girls’ High School will be taking on the 5km Run/ Walk in support of the initiative.
“It is such a fun and worthy cause, that enables us to help others,” said Claressa Gounden.
The school’s Djembe drum band will also once again entertain the crowds on the day.
Registration takes place at Pick n Pay Hyper in Durban North on Saturday, 17 and 24 September between 10am to 5pm and at Suncoast outside Mugg & Bean on the Boardwalk on Saturday, 24 September from 1pm to 3pm and at the Suncoast Amphitheatre on the morning of the race, Sunday, 25 September, from 7.30am to 9am. Prize-giving will take place directly after the race and five lucky draw prizes will be awarded. The entry fee is R50 and includes a Sunflower Tope (Tube of Hope).
- Contact The Sunflower Fund’s Durban Office on 031 266 1148 or e-mail Allison Ekstrand on allison@sunflow erfund.org.za.
