OLYMPIANS GO CUPCAKE SWEET
It’s the 2024 Paris Olympics and the world is gearing up to watch the elite of the elite undertake their biggest achievements. In South Africa, in the Cupcake of Hope (CoH) world, there are two Olympians who are also sweetening the world of children with cancer. In June 2024, Olympian runner Lythe Pillay delivered some of the 602 winter care bag deliveries that were given to families and patients in oncology units throughout the country. Olympian rugby player Ronald Brown has become a CoH ambassador to carry his own cancer story of hope to children. The Olympics torchbearer Ronel Steyn is also currently fundraising for Stehan, who is fighting for his life at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, where he is undergoing severe chemotherapy for leukaemia.
“We started Cupcake of Hope to provide financial and emotional support to the families of children fighting cancer,” says founder Sandy Cipriano. “The support from Olympians inspired us to launch the #Go4Gold fun-raiser, from which we are also raising funds for ingredients for our 2,000 Cupcake Angels throughout the country.”
The Cupcake Angels are volunteer bakers who host events and sell cupcakes to raise funds for CoH. “Since inception, we’ve been joined by more and more bakers,” says Cipriano. “Everyone used to have flour, oil and sugar in their cupboards, so it has been an easy way for people to make a difference. Since last year, however, the cost-of-living has seriously impacted every household. People no longer have what used to be basic ingredients in their cupboards. So, we are raising funds now for both our bakers and for the children.”
In 2023, CoH received 2,859 financial requests for children facing life-threatening diseases, delivered 2,640 activity care bags to 20 paediatric oncology wards across South Africa and provided 120 birthday gifts to young cancer patients.
“In the first half of 2024, we have already received 1,394 requests for financial assistance, have provided 3 wheelchairs/strollers, delivered 1,042 care bags, surprised 61 patients for their birthday with gifts and delivered 700 thank you gifts to nurses and doctors to celebrate Nurses and Doctors Day in May,” says Cipriano.
Johannesburg-based Ofentse Choma is one of the beneficiaries of CoH’s assistance. Choma has retina-blastoma and has received multiple surgeries in the Public Sector to try and rehabilitate his eye socket and enable him to wear a functional prosthesis. When the eye fornix prolapsed, he required specialist, and complicated surgery to fix and prevent the fornix from doing so again (the fornix permits freedom of movement of the eyelids). His mother, Wendy Choma says, “The Cupcake Angels have helped me so much that I do not know where to start on listing all they have done. My son and I were given transport money when we needed it. They are buying birthday presents for my son’s birthday and they are assisting with the operation costs. I am so grateful to them!”
“As we head towards our annual fundraising event in September, South Africa’s National Cupcake Day 4 Kids with Cancer, we would like to support our Cupcake Angels,” says Cipriano. “They have never asked us for a thing, and we would like to pay it forward now by providing them with assistance with ingredients to bake up their batches, this is by far the SWEETEST way to help save a life!”.
Says Brown, “I support Cupcakes of Hope simply because it’s an organisation that keeps many a person’s dream alive and provides essential help to achieve and overcome challenges in life. For those children who are fighting cancer, my message is to be patient, don’t look too far ahead and take it day by day, step by step. To keep your family close and let them support you where they can. The toughest battles are given to the toughest soldiers, so keep fighting!”
To join the fun-raiser or if you can assist with donations, please visit https://cupcakesofhope.org/go4gold-fun-raiser/
Cupcakes of Hope
Established in 2012 by Sandy Cipriano, Cupcakes of Hope (COH) is a Non-Profit Company (NPC 2012/103028/08) and a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO930053726) dedicated to supporting children with cancer in South Africa. Through diverse initiatives and the Cupcake Angels’ (bakers) tireless efforts, COH provides financial and emotional support to children and their families. Operating nationally, most beneficiaries are referred via social workers and doctors and since inception, 10 000 children and families have been assisted. In 2024, COH was nominated at the CSI Legacy Awards as one of the top three finalists for the Rising NGO of the year. They have also achieved numerous Guinness World Records to raise awareness for childhood cancer such as creating the world’s Tallest Tower of Cupcakes (10.7m) and the BIGGEST Cupcake Mosaic in the World. In celebration of Nelson Mandela’s centennial birthday, they also crafted a 3m Tall Mandela Cake at Sandton City. https://cupcakesofhope.org/
The post Cupcakes of Hope for Children with Cancer appeared first on The Home Of Great South African News.
It’s the 2024 Paris Olympics and the world is gearing up to watch the elite of the elite undertake their biggest achievements.
The post Cupcakes of Hope for Children with Cancer appeared first on The Home Of Great South African News. Read More
