Swim Midmar and grow bone marrow registry

THE world’s largest open water swimming race and one of South Africa’s most prestigious aquatic events, the aQuellé Midmar Mile, takes place on Saturday and Sunday, 11 and 12 February.

Avid swimmer Karusha Moodley is challenging all other Midmar Mile swimmers and clubs to dedicate their swim to The Sunflower Fund and sign up for their Miles4Marrow Midmar Mile campaign.

Miles4Marrow gives athletes the opportunity to do what they love, while showing their support for a great cause – and raising funds in the process. “Our patients often spend weeks or months in isolation wards and outdoor sport is not an option for them until they find that life-saving match and are able to participate in such activities again,” said Stephanie Berry, regional manager for The Sunflower Fund in KZN. “It’s our job to ensure that the opportunity for that match exists and by partnering with enthusiastic, athletic people who are looking for their own opportunities to help, we can make this a reality.”

Participating swimmers are responsible for approaching their personal and professional networks to sponsor them per ‘mile’ covered (or kilometre on the metric system) and no contribution is too small. All funds raised will go towards increasing the South African Bone Marrow Registry, to give hope to patients diagnosed with life-threatening blood disorders who are searching for their 1 in 100,000 donor match.

If you are interested in supporting these courageous Miles4Marrow swimmers, make a contribution in favour of:

• Bank account name: The Sunflower Fund
• Bank: ABSA Bank
• Account number: 4051834719
• Branch: Tokai
• Branch code: 632005
• Reference: DBNMIDMAR & (name of sponsor)

For more information on this fundraising challenge, call Tanith King on 031-266-1148 or email tanith@sunflowerfund.org.za. For more information on The Sunflower Fund or how to become a blood stem cell donor, visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za or contact the toll free call centre on 0800-1210-82.