Edward Green from Middelburg in the Eastern Cape showed great initiative in supporting National Bandana Day as he felt that he wanted to thank The Sunflower Fund for all it's hard work.   

He and his wife saw the insert on TV about National Bandana Day and decided that they wanted to do something to assist the Sunflower Fund. Their problem was that the bandanas were only sold at Pick a Pay stores and the nearest store was 350km from where he lived in Middelburg. Luckily one of his friends was in Kimberly and he asked him to buy 100 bandanas there. While waiting for the bandanas he decided to draw up an e-mail to send to all his friends. He then visited the website and saved some of the articles and
pictures and attached it to the e-mail, so everyone could see what it was all about.

He then also went to the local schools and spoke to the headmasters about the project and once they heard what it was all about they could not resist. The High school came up with their own initiative to motivate the school children. They told the children that if they buy a bandana they could wear "civvies" on the 23rd. He then also told members at his work (Correctional Services) about the project and they were more than willing to donate their R15.00 for a bandana. His wife also told the people at her work (Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute) about the bandanas, and what it was for. He received the bandanas and  the 100 bandanas were quickly sold out. He needed more stock but fortunately someone was on his way from
Bloemfontein to Middelburg and they were asked him to bring another 50 bandanas.  

Edward has decided that next year they will put in even more effort and make a plan to get more bandanas to sell as The Sunflower Fund is a cause they really want to support. This is proof of how one individual helps makes a difference in the lives of children suffering from leukaemia and other life threatening illnesses.

Please support those suffering from leukaemia and buy a Sunflower bandana for only R15 from your nearest Pick ‘n Pay store to wear on National Bandana Day on 23 September 2008. 

Every South African is encouraged to wear a bandana to work, university or school to show their solidarity with those fighting leukaemia.  

During the preparation for a bone marrow stem cell transplant, patients lose their hair and often wear a bandana to cover their head. National Bandana Day will boost the morale of cancer patients, as well as raising  funds urgently needed for tissue typing more donors. 

Thousands of South Africans, especially children, are diagnosed annually with life threatening blood disorders. For many, a bone marrow stem cell transplant from a healthy donor is the only possible life-saving treatment option. This is a daunting and traumatic task, with the chance of finding a matching donor about 1 in 100 000. Since the inception of The Sunflower Fund the registry has grown from 1 200 donors to just over 64 000 donors today.  

The Sunflower Fund is a national non-governmental, non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, South Africa, which runs a toll-free call centre, to recruit donor’s representative of all ethnic groups for the South African Bone Marrow Registry.

“We appeal to all the schools in South Africa to support us by encouraging learners to buy a bandana from Pick and Pay for just R15 and allow them to wear it on 23 September” said Tina Botha CEO of The Sunflower Fund. 

The Association of Round Tables of Southern Africa, including Namibia is committed to this campaign and  will be promoting the sale of bandanas at centres around South Africa.  

Lots of fun events and activities will take place around the country, watch the press for more details.

Don’t forget to let us know if you have anything exciting planned for National Bandana Day at your school or company. We would also appreciate any photos of your day to add to our website and our scrapbooks.

Come on South Africa, “Share a Little, to Save a Life” 

Call our toll-free line on 0800 12 10 82 or contact us here more information

The Sunflower Fund commissioned 3rd year students from technikons across South Africa to, once again, design a surprise bandana. The results were phenomenal, to say the least and the judges had a tough time making a final decision. But a final decision had to be made and the overall winner was a group effort from Durban University of Technology, KwaZulu Natal – Chelsea Lawson, Lauren Dougall and Giulia Chella. Congratulations ladies! 

“With this design we are determined to convey the message of a bright sunny future full of love, fun and laughter, a future for active sporty people who have had their dreams shattered. A future for fun loving happy little boys and girls who have had their lives changed forever, because of leukaemia and other life threatening blood disorders. This bandana will depict everyday life in South Africa as we go about our normal day. It will create awareness and impress upon our rainbow nation that we all have a social responsibility to help those who so desperately need our care” - this is the story behind the new 2008 bandana.  

Bandana Day is on Tuesday, 23 September 2008 and we urge all South Africans to go out and buy your bandana and to wear it to work, school, or just for fun. It’s a stunning fun design that can be worn by young and old. Thank you South Africa for being prepared to share a little to save a life.

Ewan Thorpe aged 8 bravely shaved his hair and donated his services for the production of the 2008 television advert made for National Bandana Day.

He endured a 9 hour shoot which took place in a ward at the Johannesburg General Hospital.  He did take after take with good humour and a very professional attitude.

We thank him for his generosity in shaving his head and for being prepared to help The Sunflower Fund.