Hearing the words “your child has cancer” must be one of the most terrifying words a parent can hear and that is why Cupcakes of Hope has designed an info-graphic to educate the parents on the Early Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer. We are very proud of our new and updated info-graphic as we believe early detection can SAVE lives. With the help of Dr Jennifer Geel, a paediatric oncologist at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, we have made sure that these Childhood Cancer Warning Signs are accurate and relevant. We asked Dr Geel why is it important to educate the parents on these early warning signs. Dr Geel says: “Parents are the first people to pick up worrying signs in their children. They often report them to medical staff and are ignored or not taken seriously. If parents are educated they can stick to their guns and make sure that their doctors and other medical staff investigate and refer their children rapidly and appropriately. The signs are really simple but knowledge about them can save the lives of their children.” According to Dr Geel at least 1 in 600 children get cancer in South Africa. The figure may be up to 1 in 400. Of these, in South Africa, only about a third reach the right place, ie a specialist paediatric oncology unit. Of those who do reach a POU, only half survive in many centres. In Johannesburg, the survival rate is better at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (about 75% at WDGMC). However, this survival rate still does not reach that of children in other countries such as Brazil. Dr Geel says we need to improve this rate in South Africa, and one of the things that Cupcakes of Hope can do is to help raise awareness so that kids reach the right place more quickly, which gives them a much better chance to fight and beat this disease!
Become a Cupcake Angel…Cupcakes of HOPE, a non-profit company, is a community driven project and our aim is to create awareness and raise funds for children with cancer. If you would like to become a Cupcake Angel, why not host a Party of HOPE at your company or child’s school. You can register on-line and you will receive a FREE Angel Party Pack which includes badges, branded baking cups and leaflets with the Early Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer. As September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Cupcakes of HOPE is challenging all the schools and companies to host a Party of HOPE on the 1st of September. Schools who register will also receive a “Be Sun Safe” colouring-in picture to help educate children on how to be safe in the sun. Cupcakes of HOPE’s main fundraising event is hosting the National Cupcake Day 4 Kids with Cancer on the 27th of September at 55 malls across South Africa, this is by far the SWEETEST way to SAVE a life… The funds raised so far has helped over 200 patients by paying for their medical or day-to-day living expenses. Cupcakes of Hope has also donated to 14 other charities and causes. Sandy Cipriano says: “It is amazing to see how a little cupcake can make such a huge difference in people’s lives. One of our biggest donations this year was to 10 year old Graeme from Bloemfontein. He needed a portable oxygen machine and we were able to donate this machine to the value of R44 000. This will definitely improve his quality of life by putting less stress on his little heart…” For a full list of beneficiaries, visit www.cupcakesofhope.org Thank you for being a Cupcake Angel, the SWEETEST way to SAVE a life….
