The Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC) South Africa recently said that this year has been a very successful one which allowed the foundation to keep true to its vision of ‘keeping more than hope alive’.
According to Linda Moore, CHOC regional manager, the two CHOC houses in Saxonwold and Diepkloof had a combined total of 5 638 bed nights. More than 250 children living with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders, and their families, who live far from paediatric oncology treatment centres, were provided accommodation to ensure successful completion of treatment.
“The transport fund grew in terms of the number of people receiving assistance. In total, CHOC Gauteng South distributed R178 000 to families in order for them to travel to and from the treatment centres,” said Moore.
Moore said the foundation’s caregiver volunteer programme also saw a healthy growth this year with more than 100 in-hospital volunteers providing services at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
“Our CHOC house volunteers continued to run programmes for the children in the houses and our garden fairies continued to help maintain the garden at Saxonwold.”
She added that the foundation was able to distribute 462 care bags to newly admitted patients in all three medical centres. They assisted with food for families and provided funeral funds for some.
Extending her gratitude and warm wishes for the holidays, Moore said the support from the local community has also grown in leaps and bounds. She said local businesses and schools made up a large portion of their annual funding.
“Our sincere gratitude to everyone who sponsored, assisted with, and participated in many fundraising initiatives. We take this opportunity of wishing everybody a peaceful and safe holiday and we look forward to growing many more partnerships with other community members in the coming year.”
Details: www.choc.org.za
