Cancer treatment is expensive, and across South Africa, hundreds of children need often life-saving medical care, which their parents simply cannot afford.
Cupcakes of Hope (CoH) has launched its 2024 fundraising initiative by challenging local communities to spend International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15, helping to make a difference. How? Simple … by having a Party of Hope, baking cupcakes, and selling them in aid of young cancer patients who need financial assistance for their medical care.
You can set up a mini pop-up cupcake sale at your workplace, your child’s school, during play dates, or even at weekend gatherings with friends.
The concept of Parties of Hope originated in 2014 when CoH founder Sandy Cipriano and her team expanded their vision beyond their initial September fundraising for International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which includes National Cupcake Day.
“With the growing need for medical resources, we decided to encourage year-round donations,” explains Cipriano. “We urged people to bake cupcakes, sell them in unique ways, and donate the proceeds. The response and willingness to join our mission have been overwhelming.”
CoH directly makes monthly, and sometimes weekly payments to the medical providers of cancer patients. Additionally, volunteers deliver care packages to hospitalised patients. The funds cover a range of needs, from items like wheelchairs to critical surgeries, addressing the physical, emotional, and medical needs of patients.
Thanks to the ongoing Parties of Hope hosted throughout the year, they garnered an additional R1 million for children with cancer. This allowed them to respond to nearly 3 000 medical requests at 20 medical facilities across South Africa. Over the past three years, the average number of patients assisted monthly by CoH has grown from 100 to 230.
The demand in 2024 is expected to be even higher.
“We aim to make hosting a Party of Hope fun and impactful”, says Cipriano.
“Given the relentless nature of cancer-related expenses, we recognise the challenges faced by parents of children with cancer. To create a better tomorrow, we must start today, and we’re eager to build momentum towards our 2024 goal.”
To host a Party of Hope, register as a baker on the website Cupcakesofhope.org before 29 February 2024. Commit to baking 24 or 48 cupcakes (though more are always welcome), organise your sale, bake, raise funds, and donate to CoH.
Their Cupcake Angels will provide all the necessary details for your donation. Businesses interested in larger-scale involvement can by emailing bake@cupcakesofhope.org.
An Angel Pack can also be ordered from the website, which contains awareness leaflets, a #Bake4cancer apron, balloons, and baking cups.
International Childhood Cancer Day is an ideal calendar reminder to engage in supportive activities like a Party of Hope. Medical bills don’t take breaks and CoH’s donation portal remains open year-round.
Donate here: Cupcakesofhope.org/donate
For more information, visit Cupcakesofhope.org or email sandy@cupcakesofhope.org.
