Support the cause with a Sunflower Day TOPE
Ahead of Sunflower Day, three stem-cell recipients share their battles with cancer
South Africans are being called on to support Sunflower Day on Friday, 13 November by registering as a stem cell donor or buying the popular TOPE (tube of hope) – which can be used as a face mask.
The annual awareness campaign – spearheaded by the Sunflower Fund in partnership with DKMS (Deutsche Knochen Mark Spenderdatei) – aims to raise funds for the fight against blood disorders such as leukemia and sickle cell disease.
Stories of hope
Ahead of Sunflower Day, three stem-cell recipients share their battles with cancer and the transplants that saved their lives.
1. Vivian de Klerk South African Defence Force employee, Vivian de Klerk, has been in remission for 10 years. Diagnosed with an acquired genetic disease -paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) – at the age of 23, she was terrified when she learned the only cure was blood stem cell transplant. She was on the waiting list for almost three years.
‘When my three brothers tested negative and there was no matching donor on the South African database, I had to dig deep to not lose hope,’ recalled De Klerk. ‘Luckily, I had family, friends and The Sunflower Fund to support me during the years of waiting. I finally received the life-changing call that there was a matching donor in Germany.’
Soon after the transplant, her recovery began and she was able to start exercising, completing the Fish River Canyon hike just a year later.
2. Ray Funnell Consulting engineer, Ray Funnell, felt shock and disbelief when he first learned he had leukemia, followed by concern for the wellbeing of his family.
Fortunately, his brother was a matching donor and Funnell was overwhelmed to know he had been given a second chance.
Describing the actual stem cell transplant, he said the process was ‘quite simple’: ‘I actually fell asleep during the transfusion!’ Although the road to recovery was long, he regained his health and remains grateful to all involved: ‘I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the kindness shown by the medical staff, blood donors, platelet donors and my brother. These were life-giving gifts.’
3. Sharleigh Wilken Her Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) diagnosis left Wilken devastated: ‘I struggled between feeling emotionally overwhelmed and powerless, alternated with an uprising of strength and focus, without ever finding an exact balance.’
She initially underwent a gruelling treatment of chemotherapy, and blood and platelet transfusions, suffering two strokes before learning that the cancer had spread to her spinal fluid.
Several lumbar punctures, more chemotherapy, a punctured lung and paralysis did not stop Wilken from having faith in God.
When she was well enough for a stem cell transplant, Wilken’s doctor was unable to find a matching donor. Miraculously, she was able to have her own cells harvested, which were successfully transplanted in 2014.
Now in remission, she said the synonym for the word ‘remission’ is ‘freedom’: ‘It is a nine-letter word that closes doors and opens new ones. It is also what every family member around you hopes to hear.’
How to help
Support Sunflower Day this year by buying a TOPE, retailing at R30 from Pick n Pay stores nationwide, selected independent pharmacies, and online at Zando. The TOPE comes in six vibrant colours; blue, green, yellow, pink, red and black in quality fabric.
In addition to the sale of TOPES, the Sunflower Fund is urging all supporters to consider planning a fundraiser to commemorate Sunflower Day and grow the patient support fund.
To partner with The Sunflower Fund as a host for a Sunflower Day celebration, contact Traci Sassenberg on 021 701 0661 or traci@sunflowerfund.org.
Individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 years with a consistent body weight of more than 50kgs and a BMI of less than 40 can register as donors. Registration is a simple online process at www.sunflowerfund.org.
