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Bafedile appeals for a life saving donor |
 In September 2008, Bafedile Johanna Molefe (48), a teacher at Chipatabane High School in Bronkhorstspruit, was diagnosed with leukaemia. She underwent an autologous transplant and started to feel better immediately as life went back to normal for Bafedile and her family, at least for a few months.
In September 2009, Bafedile’s life changed forever. She received news from her doctor that she had relapsed. Her only option now, is to have a bone marrow transplant, this time hopefully with an unrelated matched donor as she has no siblings to be tested first.
Bafedile’s family, friends and neighbours have been extremely supportive over the past two years as well as helping with finding her a donor by distributing The Sunflower Fund brochures in the community in desperate effort to try recruit more bone marrow stem cell donors onto the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR).
Bafedile has searched the SABMR for a bone marrow stem cell donor already and has been unsuccessful with finding a match so far.
What this means, is that her life rests on new bone marrow stem cell donors being recruited onto the SABMR. Ethnic origin/heritage is very important when matching donors and patients. The ‘markers’ that are tested, when searching for a match, are genetically inherited and often unique to a particular race. There are currently only 17 % of bone marrow donors, on the SABMR, from African, Indian and mixed ethnic background. The shortage of these groups can and will have a severe impact on patients trying to find a matching unrelated donor.
If many more healthy people, between the ages of 18 and 50, from these ethnic groups joined the registry and became a bone marrow stem cell donor, then we could increase Bafedile’s and other patient’s chances of finding a matching donor that could ultimately save their lives.
This is an urgent call to the people of South Africa to call The Sunflower Fund toll free number 0800 12 10 82, weekdays between 9 and 4pm and register to become a bone marrow donor. Bafedile and many more patients are relying on you.
All that is required from you to become a donor is two test tubes of blood. Two test tubes of blood that could save someone’s life.
The cost of tissue typing all new registered bone marrow stem cell donors is R1000 per person, which is why we organise fundraising events to raise the necessary funds to pay for these tests so that The Sunflower Fund can sponsor the tests for those who can’t afford to pay for them.
Three Round Tabler’s have been running for eight days trying to complete the 350Miles4Marrow challenge that they set out to do last week from Nelspruit to Melrose Arch in JHB in order to assist The Sunflower fund by raising funds to pay for the tissue typing costs and to create the awareness needed about the urgent need for bone marrow stem cell donors and more specifically, more donors from various ethnic groups. Tarryn Corlett, National Fundraiser and PR Coordinator has been one of the crew members for the past eight days for 350Miles4Marrow run. During the second last day, they went to visit Bafedile to hear her story and help her by promising to generate as much awareness as possible. |
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KZN secure their sponsors for the BallKZN secure their sponsors for the Ball |
 Ashleigh Isaacs from Lindt, Alvin Meyer of Lemontree Concepts and KWV’s Caryn Dowden are ensuring that The Sunflower Fund’s ‘Unforgettable’ Charity Ball in Association with International Bank Vaults on Friday, 7th May is truly unforgettable. For the third year in a row Lindt will be indulging the 280 guests with their delectable chocolate while KWV will be providing sparkling wine on arrival followed by Roodeberg Red and White to be enjoyed during the delicious three course meal. Lemontree Concepts will once again be transforming the Great Ilanga Room at the Elangeni Hotel into a Ball Room from the Nat King Cole 1945 to 1955 era. The entertainment will follow suit with performances by KwaZulu Natal’s top singers Lauren Laing, Lyle Buxton, Melanie Roberts, Marion Loudon and Karen van Pletzen so get out your tassles, pearls and feather boas and get ready for an unforgettable evening for a very worth cause
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KZN's 'Unforgettable' Charity Ball is ready for you! |
 Devan Gounder from Fishwicks, Rodney van Rensburg from ABI, International Bank Vaults’ Ashok Sewnarain and Charlene Erasmus from Trellidor once again show their support for The Sunflower Fund’s high profile Charity Ball.
The Fund has secured elite sponsors who have shown unfailing loyalty to The Fund over the past four years and the ‘Unforgettable’ Charity Ball in Association with International Bank Vaults is no exception.
The event has been planned for Friday, 7th May at Durban’s Elangeni Hotel and tickets are R600 per person or R6000 for a table of ten. TV personality Marius Roberts is the compere for the evening so book your ticket or table by emailing
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or phoning 078 207 9041 and get out the tassels, feathers and pearls for an unforgettable evening. |
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The youngest Ambassador of Hope in Gauteng |
 8 year old Leandro heard Tricia, of the Gauteng office, and a patient Tlhogi Maseko, speaking on the Rude Awakening on 94.7 last year on Bandana day and decided there and then that he wished to become an Ambassador for the Fund. The cause is dear to Leandro’s heart as he too is fighting a battle with leukaemia. An invitation came to speak at the American International School in Johannesburg and Tricia addressed both Grade 5 and then also Grade 1. The Grade 1 teachers have been incredibly supportive of Leandro and his treatment. They, as a class education project, are learning about leukaemia and it’s effects, the treatment that Leandro must undergo with a focus on good health. A teacher has put together a great visual education document teaching the Grade 1 students about leukaemia and chemotherapy so that the students are informed and able to support Leandro.
At the talk, Leandro was presented with a special Sunflower pin and thanked for his incredible efforts in educating the learners at his school and being so proactive in teaching and by doing this, helping others. |
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A heart warming donation to The Sunflower Fund |
 Tanya Hodgson's mom, Glenda Hodgson, is undergoing treatment at the moment for leukaemia at Constantiaberg Medi Clinic. Tanya (middle), together with Noah De Nicola (left) and Zoe (right), collected money at the recent Glenellen Horse Show and donated the funds to The Sunflower Fund. The collection was in honour of Glenda Hodgson. |
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The International Hotel School is gearing up for the ladies breakfast! |
 Seen, preparing for the International Hotel School (I.H.S) fundraising ladies breakfast are, from back Nashlyn Jangooraj, SRC Member of I.H.S, Stephanie Berry from The Sunflower Fund with Erna Janse van Rensburg and Shireen Eraman in front, both senior lecturers at I.H.S Durban Campus.
The International Hotel School is hosting a fundraising ladies breakfast on Saturday 13th March from 8:30am to 10:30am at the Westville Hotel in aid of The Sunflower Fund. Tickets are R100 and booking is essential. The price includes a goody bag, delicious breakfast, guest speaker and lucky draw prizes.
Please contact Shireen on 083 274 4084 or Erna on 083 410 7955 to make your booking and payment.
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"Encounters with the Dragon" |
 A public presentation by John Hone, the author of an acclaimed coffee table book on the Drakensberg, "Encounters with the Dragon" has been organised for Friday, 19th February at the Howick Preparatory School Hall and will be co-hosted by the 1st Howick Cub and Scout Group with all proceeds from the ticket sales going to The Sunflower Fund.
John is well known for his photographic skills, his knowledge of the Drakensberg and desire to see the Drakensberg conserved. During 2007 John was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia and after the initial treatments to bring him into remission he had a bone marrow stem cell transplant in Cape Town. This was an encounter with a very different 'Dragon' and since then John has been lucky enough to make a remarkable recovery. During the evening John will deliver a PowerPoint presentation and share his experiences on both the Drakensberg and his journey with leukaemia.
This will also be an opportunity for books to be signed and the purchase of new copies at R400 each.
The ticket price is R35 for adults and R15 for youth under 18 and bookings are essential. Please contact Pam on 033 330 5693 or email her on
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or contact Stephanie on 078 207 9041 or email her on
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to make your booking.
Event details
Date: Friday 19th February 2010
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm till 9:15pm which includes a 30 minute refreshment break.
Venue: Howick Preparatory School Hall, Harvard Street, Howick. Car guards will be in attendance.
Cost: R35 for adults and R15 for youth under 18.
Refreshments: Teas/coffees will be served - there will be a donation box.
Child-minding will be available at the near-by Howick Pre-Primary for a fee.
Contact Angela on 033 330 3605. |
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WINNER ANNOUNCED FOR 2010 SUNFLOWER FUND NATIONAL BANDANA DAY DESIGN COMPETITION AND AN OUTSTANDING CHEQUE HANDOVER BY PICK ‘N PAY |
 In celebrating their 10 year anniversary, The Sunflower Fund has wasted no time in the preparations for the year ahead. With bandana day now officially set for the 12th October 2010, 3 design institutions were invited to participate in the 2010 bandana design competition and create a really special 10th Anniversary bandana. Frank Joubert Art Centre, Reddam House College and the Red and Yellow School of Advertising were all selected as they were all in one way or another connected to Chris Corlett, during his 3 year struggle with leukaemia, between 1997 and 2000.
The Sunflower Fund is proud to announce that Gail Gunston, Grade 12 adult student, studying painting and mixed media at The Frank Joubert Art Centre in Rondebosch, Cape Town, has won the 2010 National Bandana Day design competition. National Bandana Day is the signature fundraising event for The Sunflower Fund and the easiest initiative for all the people of South Africa to support, having raised a record amount of over R2.8 million last year.
Asked about how she felt about her win and the knowledge that the design would be produced into the 2010 bandana, she said “I wanted my design to reflect a “stop and smell the sunflowers” happiness, not only to use as a bandana, but also as “wrapping paper”, napkins or as placemats at a party. I’m thrilled that this design will be used. I feel privileged to be able to give something back- and at the same time bring awareness to the vital role that the Sunflower Fund plays in the lives of so many people.”
“It has been an inspiration and a privilege working with these talented design students over the past few years and Gail’s winning design is definitely going to make a major difference to our 10th anniversary campaign” Tina Botha, CEO of The Sunflower Fund said. “2010 is a very special year for us as Disney has come on board, in recognition of our 10th anniversary. The incorporation of Mickey Mouse has really added a new and exciting element to the already popular Sunflower Bandanas, which are fast becoming collector’s items.”
Last year’s Sunflower Fund National Bandana Day was the most successful to date, with a cheque of R2.836 800 million being handed to Tina Botha, of The Sunflower Fund by Pick n Pay during the announcement of the 2010 design winner today. Jonathan Ackerman congratulated CEO, Tina Botha, on their 10 year achievement saying; “Pick n Pay is proud to be associated with The Sunflower Fund, which does such wonderful work and would like to thank the SA public for their incredible support, without which this would not have been possible”. “On behalf of all patients, past and future, I would like to thank Pick ‘n Pay and everyone in SA who has supported us over the past few years”, said an overwhelmed Tina Botha.
The money raised from bandana day will enable The Sunflower Fund to continue their work of educating and recruiting more potential bone marrow donors. Without the support from our fellow South Africans - our Seeds of Hope - this wouldn’t have been possible.
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KAMERAZ - "A serious camera store but we smile a lot too!" |
 Our grateful thanks to Johan Greybe and his team at KAMERAZ for the
donation of a digital camera for use at our events in Gauteng!
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The Sunflower Ward’s Ray of Hope |
 Tina Botha, CEO of The Sunflower Fund, challenged corporates, the public and supporters of organization to purchase the left-over 2009 bandana stock which would be given to orphanages, hospitals and clinics to use to make duvet covers, pillow cases, laundry bags etc.
Ray Adams, Client Services and Marketing Manger of Constantiaberg Medi Clinic took up the offer and paid to have 34 comforters made to brighten The Sunflower Ward. Every bed now boasts a bright bandana quilt! Most appropriate as the design of the 2009 bandana this year was “Circles of Life”.
Tina Botha, wishes to thank all the corporates and supporters who very kindly bought into the campaign and for making such a wonderful difference. |
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