Courage, charisma, strength of character, sincerity - whatever it is that makes some people inspirational and very special, Chris Corlett had it.

His fortitude and willingness to share even the darkest moments of his short life, awakened a flood of public support, which resulted in the birth of the Friends of the South African Bone Marrow Registry Foundation - now known as the Sunflower Fund, whose main purpose is to build up a database of 100,000 donors. It was Chris Corlett's wish that the Registry develop and grow, so that future leukaemia sufferers may have the opportunity to live a healthy life. His mother, Tina Botha, now the CEO of The Sunflower Fund, is dedicating her life to making her son's wish come true.

The Sunflower Fund's Bandana Girl

An inspirational and very special young lady who launched "Bandana Day" for the Sunflower Fund during her own struggle with Leukaemia

Story of My Sister: Lindy Anderson

Written by Kim Anderson

My sister, Lindy Anderson, was a grade 11 pupil of Wynberg Girls High in Cape Town . She was a very active and enthusiastic 16 year old, who excelled academically and was involved in many other activities including drama, water polo, writing for the school magazine and the church.

For a few weeks, Lindy felt uncharacteristically tired and then developed a skin rash, and this prompted a visit to the doctor where some routine blood tests were done. The next morning, on Friday 7th February, my mother was called by the doctor, who instructed her to urgently fetch Lindy from school, as the blood tests revealed a completely unexpected diagnosis of leukaemia.

To all the very special people who "journeyed" with us

There are no words to adequately express the deep gratitude we feel in our hearts for all the incredible love and support you gave us during James' illness. You not only helped to lift an enormous burden from our shoulders, but you empowered us to do our very best for him.

We did not win the final battle, but we want you to know that the journey itself was still, in many ways, victorious. Personally we experienced a tremendous spiritual victory as the dark days of fear, when James was given virtually no hope, melted away. We watched in awe as thousands of people joined The South African Bone Marrow Registry in their personal attempt to save him. With your support, and that of The Sunflower Fund and SANBS, the registry grew from 35 000 to 42 000. Because of this, the miracle of life can now be given to someone else whose only hope is a bone marrow transplant.

In February 2002, after several infections and noticeable bruising, our four year old daughter Kate was diagnosed with a type of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML).

In February 2002, after several infections and noticeable bruising, our four year old daughter Kate was diagnosed with a type of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). Devastating news, but having come from a medical family where there were always doctors to treat our various ailments, there were no doubts in our minds, initially at least, that Kate's illness could be treated and cured.

by Lorraine Perlotto (Bianca's mom)

Some people dream of angels ...
I held one in my arms ...
Bianca was a healthy, active, happy 12 year old girl in Grade 6 at La Rochelle Primary School in Paarl.

She loved music and dancing and was very artistic. She had a beautiful voice, which had been discovered by accident one day. She then started voice training and was a finalist in the Paarl Talent Competition in 1999.

Written by her mother, Vicki, in January 2006

I am so often amazed at how true the cliché ‘it’s a small world’ really is – have you noticed that these coincidences seem to happen more and more the older we get? When my good friend in Harrismith told me that her sister worked for the Sunflower Fund in Cape Town and wanted to get hold of me to include Caitlin in their Wall of Remembrance it literally felt like a punch in the belly. ‘I can’t do it’ was my initial reaction. I might have to unpack the boxes of memories that I have so deeply and efficiently hidden away from myself. That was nearly two months ago. Today I opened the Wall of Remembrance on their website and realised that other mothers had managed and so should I. Through a mist of tears at their courage I hope my contribution may in a small way be of some help to others.

Written by her brother Yagen Naidoo

“With the current ratio of Asian donors on registers world-wide as low as it is (below 1% world-wide), being diagnosed with a disease like leukemia makes me realize that for us to have any chance at all to recover, we need to steadily increase the number of Indian/Asian donors within our communities, so that the chances of finding a matched donor increases significantly….even if we cannot influence some circumstances, we can act for the better of all humanity…I hope this message reaches out to your hearts to do what you can.”
– by Renuka Naiker inJuly 2004

Danny was a wonderful young man who lived his life to the full. He was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in June 2007. He showed tremendous courage throughout his illness and hardly ever complained. Danny did more and achieved more in his 23 years than most people fit into their lifetime. He was, and still is, an inspiration to his family and friends. He excelled in his job with Toyota on their racing and rally team and played hard with his very special group of friends.

He will be loved and missed by his Dad, Mom, three brothers and sister, family, friends and of course Leigh (the love of his life) and her family.

To Danny a wonderful son and brother
May the winds of love blow softly
And whisper for you to hear
That we will love and remember you
And forever keep you near