Cape Town - International non-profit organisation DKMS Africa is calling on Capetonians and South Africans across the country to support its latest fundraising efforts.
DKMS Africa is dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
On Sunday (Dec 18), DKMS will host a fundraising event called the “Bell of Hope” at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens to garner funds to relieve the financial burdens of some of its blood cancers and blood diseases patients.
According to DKMS, South Africa is one of the most unequal countries in the world. This inequality can be seen among South Africans with blood cancers and blood diseases, as the state currently does not cover donor-related costs for stem cell transplants from an unrelated donor.
DKMS Africa communications manager Nabiella De Beer said: “That is why we embarked on this fundraising campaign. To support and relieve some of the financial burdens of our patients and help give them a second chance at life.
“However, we need your support. We are calling on South Africans to once again stand together with us, for the many patients, by either taking the lifesaving step of registering as donors at the event or donating funds towards the donor-related costs involved in registering.
“We want everyone – families, friends, companies and individuals – to attend the Cape Town Carols at Kirstenbosch event, where we will be ringing the bell of hope for blood cancer patients,” De Beer said.
To celebrate raising these funds and to continue raising awareness for blood cancer patients, DKMS Africa has collaborated with the City’s most-loved carols event Carols at Kirstenbosch.
De Beer said at the event DKMS and the Kirstenbosch sewing ladies will hand out “Christmas bells of hope” to everyone who registers as a donor.
She said that to acknowledge every person who donates to the campaign at Sunday’s at the Carols by Candlelight event, DKMS would ring the Bell of Hope for 30 seconds.
“We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Rotary Club of Kirstenbosch for their support and commitment to our cause,” added De Beer.