Four Seasons Hotel – The Westcliff hosted the Childhood Cancer Foundation SA (CHOC) Flip Flop media launch on February 8.
CHOC is a registered and internationally recognised Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) whose aim is to provide life-changing and all-embracing support programmes to both the child or teenager and their families once a diagnosis has been given.
CEO of Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, Dr Nkuli Boikhutso said she was introduced to the NPO at 15 years of age.
“I was introduced to CHOC when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The NPO is a home away from home, a piece of normality in an abnormal and difficult situation.”
Boikhutso added that CHOC was, and continues to be, a bridge to hope for many children and families who walked through their cancer journeys. CHOC was initially established as a support group for parents which has evolved over the years to provide psycho-social support and practical support.
The NPO’s communications officer, Taryn Seegers encouraged citizens to participate by donating to CHOC. “Annually Flippie arrives in February, and we need to encourage South Africans to wear their flip flops and make a donation by purchasing a Flip Flop Day sticker for R10 and wearing the sticker on Flip Flop Day which will be on February 23.”
CHOC’s CEO Hedley Lewis noted that he wished every day was Flip Flop Day.
Lewis said, “The day is about having fun and is a small sacrifice to create awareness about the early warning signs of childhood cancer which is important. Your donation will make a significant difference in the lives of these young ones and their families. By contributing just R10, you assist CHOC in funding their core programmes and extend hope, solidarity, and support to those diagnosed with childhood cancer.”
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