Take a charitable swing in Mount Edgecombe
Apart from raising funds for the registry, there will also be an online auction, dinner and much more.
FUNDRAISING is important to the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) as it provides the income needed to register donors and find matches for those in need of a transplant, among other things.
One of its major fundraisers is an annual golf day, which, this year, takes place on Friday, September 13, at the Mount Edgecombe Country Club.
Speaking to Northglen News about the event, sustainability and donor recruitment co-ordinator, Kapil Premchand, said all proceeds will go towards the patient assistance programme that provides assistance to vulnerable patients in need.
“The registry also hopes to make up the income it has lost over the years as a result of lockdown regulations and the flooding, which caused a lot of change in focus from a sponsorship perspective. We rely heavily on donations from the public and corporates to continue the lifesaving work [the registry] does. Its aim is to raise R250 000 from the event,” he added.
One of the patients that the SABMR aims to help from this event is four-year-old Shivya Gordhan who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) in November last year. Her mother, Samiksha, said that although Shivya does still go for maintenance chemotherapy, doctors told her that only a bone marrow transplant can save her due to two genetic mutations she possesses.
“Shivya had severe stomach pains which doctors diagnosed as constipation. When she fell off the jungle gym at school, literally less than a half-metre fall, and fractured her spine, I knew something was seriously wrong. The pains also became progressively worse, so we decided to get a second opinion. On November 8, during a hospital stay for flu and another infection, doctors discovered that Shivya had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia,” said Samiksha.
She said her world came crashing down as she didn’t know what to expect, and even during the prognosis stage, she broke down upon hearing the dreaded words ‘prepare yourself’, but then the SABMR came through with a potential donor in Poland.
“Further testing still has to be done, but it makes me happy knowing that my baby’s life will be saved. There’s a high cost attached to it, but we will do anything we can to raise the funds to save Shivya’s life. We urge businesses and individuals to support this golf day and other fundraisers we are busy planning for my daughter,” she said.
A fourball format will be played at the cost of R3 600 per team and includes drinks on arrival, lunch, sponsored holes, a three-course dinner, an auction and a prize-giving to round off the day.
Valuable sports memorabilia, holidays trips, lifestyle vouchers and hampers will be available to bid on. An online auction will launch a week prior to the event in the hope of raising more money for the cause.
Corporates and golfing enthusiasts have until September 12 to secure their spots. For bookings, contact Premchand via email at Kapil.Premchand@sabmr.co.za or call on 072 794 9316.
To get in touch with Samiksha for other fundraising, contact her on 081 465 2848.
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