Sports fundis urged to support Sunflower Fund

THE Sunflower Fund appeals to all interested athletes who will be attempting any major sporting event in 2016 – whether it’s the Midmar Mile, Dusi Canoe Marathon, Comrades Marathon or Amashova – to consider championing its worthy cause by participating in its 2016 Miles4Marrow fundraising and awareness campaign.

“The Sunflower Fund’s Miles4Marrow campaign has proven to be a highly effective fundraising and awareness tool as the athletes enjoy doing what they love for a good cause and people enjoy supporting those they admire for doing something so physically challenging. Sportsmen and women also seem to be more empathetic to the plight of those with terminal illnesses, as they appreciate the fact that they can enjoy outdoor sport. Leukaemia patients often spend weeks or months in isolation wards and sport is not an option for them,” said Allison Ekstrand, spokesman for The Sunflower Fund.

Participating athletes are responsible for approaching their personal and work databases to sponsor them per mile covered and no contribution is too small. All funds raised will go toward building the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) to give hope to patients diagnosed with life-threatening blood disorders who are searching for their 1 in 100,000 donor match.

Any person or club interested in joining the Miles4Marrow campaign may contact Allison Ekstrand on 031-266-1148 or on 079-881-3056 or email allison@sunflowerfund.org.za

For more information on The Sunflower Fund or how to become a stem cell donor, visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za or call toll free 0800 12 10 82.