Assist parents whose children have cancer by buying a sticker for R10 on Friday

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor | Photographer Credit: Sitombe Photography

We were invited a few weeeks ago to meet at the luxury Four Season Hotel in Westcliff, northern Johannesburg, a hotel that is surrounded by greens everywhere. The view from the hotel takes your eyes to a good part of Johannesburg. It is one of the most beautiful views you can ever think of.  You see, Four Season  Hotel, is not like other hotels –for instance, it is sprawling all over the property instead of going up. So you can imagine enjoying great food and wine in such an environment, you almost forget about all your troubles in the world –just for a moment.  And that moment just happened to be stopped abruptly when we were ushered into the auditorium –the very reason why we were invited there in the first place.

We were told very difficult circumstances that parents whose young kids happen to be diagnosed with cancer face.  And these are real difficulties that call for support from everyone for such parents. And you too can assist in alleviating their suffering by doing something very simple on Flip Flop Day – Friday, 23 February 2024. South Africans are encouraged to wear their flipflops and make a donation by purchasing a Flip Flop Day sticker for R10 and wear your sticker on Flip.

The reality is the inconceivable diagnosis of childhood cancer should not be a challenge that any parent should ever have to face. But unfortunately, it is a reality that many families across South Africa have had to come to terms with on a daily basis. These families are facing a reality like no other, one that no one should have to face however, these brave children and teenagers, along with their families never have to stand alone.

Owami, a brave 6-year-old boy was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. His parents were devastated when they heard the news but found solace in the fact that they weren’t alone. CHOC Childhood Cancer

Foundation South Africa provided them with the emotional and practical support they needed to get through this difficult time. From the moment they received the diagnosis, CHOC was there to offer a helping hand, providing them with essential CHOC Carebags, nutritional food support, transport assistance, psychosocial support and even accommodation when they needed it most. Owami’s parents were amazed by the level of care and support they received from CHOC. They felt like

they were part of a family, and that made all the difference. Owami is still going through the childhood cancer journey, but he’s not alone. CHOC is there every step of the way, providing him with the support he needs to keep going.

Annually Flippie arrives in February, and we need to encourage South Africans to wear their flipflops make a donation by purchasing a Flip Flop Day sticker for R10 and wear your sticker on Flip

Flop Day which is Friday, 23 rd February 2024, and will help support children like Owami and their families. So, let’s show our support for these brave children and teenagers and wear our soles with pride!

Flippie, South Africa’s favourite and most well-loved CHOC SOLE-dier has a serious passion for compassion and has stepped up to lead the movement to get everyone from the seaside to the city – to show their support for these fearless children and teenagers.

CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa is a registered and internationally recognised Non- Profit Organisation (NPO) whose aim is to provide life-changing and all-embracing support programmes to both the child or teenager and their families once a diagnosis has been given. Our services provide emotional support through the cancer journey, as well as palliative, end-of-life care and bereavement support. We also offer practical support for patients and families, including essential CHOC Carebags, nutritional food support, bereavement support, accommodation, transport to and from treatments, and our Educational and Awareness Programme on the Siluan Early Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer.

Hedley Lewis, CHOC CEO, emphasises the impact of just one sticker, stating, “Your donation will make asignificant difference in the lives of these young ones and their families. By contributing just R10, you assist CHOC in funding their Core Programmes and extend hope, solidarity, and support to those diagnosed with childhood cancer”. Hedley further highlights, “At any one time, CHOC can have around m1500 children and teenagers in our care. Show your heart by wearing your soles! From classrooms to boardrooms, support us to support them for only R10.”

Flip Flop Day is now in its 5 th year! Join us on Friday, 23 rd February for Flip Flop Day 2024.

Partnered for greatness, you can get your sticker for only R10 at your nearest PNA, Tekkie Town,

or by visiting www.choc.org.za alternatively popping into your nearest CHOC regional office.

Are you ready to join in? Let’s flip for CHOC!