The Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC) was founded in 1979, by a group of parents whose children were faced with life threatening cancer diagnoses. Understanding the immense emotional and financial weight cancer places on the family unit, they set out to empower parents with accurate information, as well as emotional and practical support throughout their cancer journey.
More info about the Childhood Cancer Foundation
“When a child has cancer, the whole family is affected” says Zelda Jacobs, spokesperson for Childhood Cancer Foundation. Today CHOC is the only organization in South Africa that provides comprehensive countrywide support for children with cancer and other life-threatening blood disorders, and their families.
The Childhood Cancer Foundation currently has 12 accommodation facilities across South Africa. In the past financial year 7700 children and families have received emotional and psychological support. Over 31 000 beneficiaries nationally have also benefited from free accommodation and transport offered by the organization.
SABC 3’s Expresso Morning Show is helping out the Childhood Cancer Foundation
The popular Expresso Morning Show team, inspired by the amazing work CHOC does to assist families during unimaginably difficult circumstances have set up a campaign on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, in hopes to make a difference.
“We are hoping to raise 1.5 Million rand for a new CHOC home in Pretoria, a cause very close to our hearts. CHOC is in desperate need for a bigger home as they are currently running out of space. We hope to reach our fundraising target by the 28th September 2018” says Eden Wessels from Expresso.
Between 2016 and 2017 the Childhood Cancer Foundation was able to provide beds to 2386 children living with cancer as well as their caregivers, an increase of 189 from 2015.
“Due to the steady incline in the bed occupancy numbers, the 3 bedroom CHOC house in Capital Park (in Pretoria), which can only accommodate 6 children and 6 caregivers has become too small and we are going to need to move shortly.” says Jacobs
The BackaBuddy campaign went live earlier this month and thus far raised R150,000 through generous donations from the public.
“Through generous donations we are able to keep more than hope alive in the families and children suffering from cancer. We hope the public will continue supporting our BackaBuddy campaign so we can not only raise much-needed funds for our new home but create awareness about childhood cancer in South Africa. “ says Jacobs
Want to help? Support the CHOC by donating on BackaBuddy HERE.
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