Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa ensures to save the children
A non-profit organisation based in Rivonia, Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, ensures to support families and children dealing with life-threatening illnesses
With various helpful tools for identifying early warning signs to detect life-threatening illnesses amongst children, The Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC) avails itself in making sure that affected families and children don’t ever go through the dark times alone.
The Rivonia-based foundation was initially formed in 1979 as a parent’s support group created by Sadie and Julian Cutland after their firstborn was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia. Since then, the foundation has managed to progress its mission to support families physically, emotionally and financially.
Taryn Seegers, who has been working with the foundation for five years as an events and campaigns coordinator knew the existence of the support group long before she started doing fractions. “My cousin passed away at a young age from cancer. I was a lot younger but it did not take away how emotional it was. Choc was there for my cousin and that was the first time I heard of them, they really extended their support and love to my family during those tough times. I am grateful that I get to share my knowledge and love with others,” said Seegers.
Flip Flop Day has been one of the foundation’s most successful campaigns that started off as an idea created by three individuals from CHOC, Seeger being one of them. The campaign aims at raising funds for children facing life-threatening illnesses on International Childhood Cancer Day, February 15. Support is shown through individuals wearing their flip-flops and through their donations.
“The other support that the foundation provides is from the awareness team who work very hard to train and inform parents, nurses, traditional healers and anyone who is in contact with a child on the early signs of cancers. I want to see an increase in the survival rate and the diagnosis to be done much earlier, it is a dream of mine that will one day come true,” concluded Seegers.
For more information, visit www.choc.org.za/about-choc-childhood-cancer-foundation/#whatischoc
