The campaign is fun, hip and happening and involves Ambassadors of Hope for The Sunflower Fund: Corne Krige with his family, Benito Vergotine, Nonala Tose and Liezel van der Westhuizen. Featuring in the TV advert together with South Africans of all ages, they pledge their support and ask that you do too.
The bandana design is fresh, distinctive and is a trendy fashion accessory. Available in 8 different colours, it appeals to everyone from the young to the young at heart! Buy your brightly coloured bandana from Pick n Pay, Round Table, selected Makro stores and the online shop, Zando from 15th August. It’s all about saving lives.
Funds raised through National Bandana Day go towards paying for the expensive tissue typing (DNA) tests for new stem cell donors to join the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR).
Behind the campaign, stand the cancer patients who face a very daunting task of fighting for their lives. This unfortunately is a reality for countless people and for many; their only hope is to receive a life-saving stem cell transplant.
If you become ill with a blood cancer or another disease that requires a bone marrow stem cell transplant, here’s an uncomfortable fact: Your race matters. For a successful transplant, donor and recipient must have nearly identical genes directly relating to their ethnic heritage and background. It is a DNA match and has nothing to do with your blood type.
The chance of finding a suitable donor is just 1:100 000 in your ethnic group.
• It only takes two test tubes of blood to register you as a donor.
• It won’t cost you anything. Through campaigns like national Bandana Day, The Sunflower Fund sponsors the R2000 test cost on your behalf. We are grateful if you are able to make a donation towards this test cost, however no-one will be turned away based on this.
Process to register:
• Call The Sunflower Fund Toll Free Number: 0800 12 10 82 and you will be asked some minor medical questions.
• Your form will be completed telephonically and you will receive your individual registration form via email or fax.
• Take this form to your closest blood clinic (Pathcare, Western Province Blood Transfusion Services or the South African National Blood Services) and two small test tubes of blood will be drawn.
Your blood is sent to the lab and analysed. Your records are then stored with the South African Bone Marrow Registry. Please register! You could be someone’s only hope for a second chance at life.
“Please support this campaign and help make a difference as together, we can save more lives. We cannot do this without you. To the public of South Africa, I have one question for you... We Heart Bandana Day, do you?” asks Tarryn Corlett, Chief Executive Officer of The Sunflower Fund.
For more information on National Bandana Day or becoming a stem cell donor, call the toll free line on 0800 12 10 82 or visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za.
