NATIONAL NEWS - The Sunflower Fund’ s biggest fundraising and awareness raising initiative - Sunflower Day - will take place on Friday 13 November. 

Due to the impact of lockdown restriction, the campaign is moved from its original date, which would’ve been in September.

The campaign is centred on the sale of a multipurpose accessory called a Tube of Hope (TOPE), which can be used as a bandana. 

According to the organisation, proceeds from the sales of the product enables them to recruit blood stem cell donors offering the hope of cure for patients diagnosed with life-threatening blood diseases like leukaemia, sickle cell disease and aplastic anaemia, to name a few.

“The impact of the lockdown has placed strain on our existing model of recruiting donors and has necessitated that we change operational processes to continue to do the life-saving work we do,” said Alana James, CEO of The Sunflower Fund.

“As such we’ve had to focus our efforts and resources on counteracting this impact for the benefit of the patients we serve,” James added.

Retailing again for R30 at Pick n Pay stores nationwide, selected independent pharmacies and online at Zando, the design is inspired by people taking action to bring hope to patients in need of a stem cell transplant.

The TOPE comes in six vibrant colours in quality fabric and go on sale from mid-October.

In addition to the sale of TOPES, the Sunflower Fund urges all supporters to consider planning a mini event or fundraiser to commemorate Sunflower Day and help with much needed fundraising efforts to grow the patient support fund.

To pre-order your TOPE, sponsor prizes for the schools’ competition or to partner with The Sunflower Fund as a host for a Sunflower Day celebration event contact Traci Sassenberg on 021 701 0661 or traci@sunflowerfund.org.

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