WINNER ANNOUNCED FOR 2010 SUNFLOWER FUND NATIONAL BANDANA DAY DESIGN COMPETITION AND AN OUTSTANDING CHEQUE HANDOVER BY PICK ‘N PAY
R2.836 800 million being handed to Tina BothaIn 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.