Charities

Sunflower Fund (www.sunflowerfund.org.za)

The Sunflower Fund (Friends of the South African Bone Marrow Registry) was formed in 1999. The Sunflower Fund is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, South Africa, with a vision to give all South Africans diagnosed with leukaemia and other life-threatening blood disorders the chance of life, irrespective of their race and financial circumstances.

The Sunflower Fund's core purpose is to educate, recruit and raise funds to build and sustain an effective SABMR as a viable source of well informed ethnically-diverse potential bone marrow donors so as to meet the national and international requirements and improve the chances of life-saving transplants for serious blood disorder sufferers.

So far their efforts (with the support of others) have increased the donor numbers on the SABMR from a mere 1,200 in 1999 to over 63,000 today! Also, since April 2003 to date, The Sunflower Fund spent just over R4 million on tissue typing throughout South Africa. This is a wonderful achievement, yet more needs to be done.

Netcells endorses the Sunflower fund as we both have the same interests in trying to give patients that are diagnosed with Leukaemia a second chance in life.

Information from Sunflower Fund website.

CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation (www.choc.org.za)

CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation is a country wide voluntary organisation.

The goal of this dedicated group is to improve the welfare and quality of care for children with cancer. Children with cancer have special needs due to the often lengthy treatment and the uncertain future the diagnosis brings. The organisation aims to advocate and lobby on behalf of children with cancer; to ensure that the medical authorities provide the specialist units required nationally, and appreciate the ongoing problems and trauma that the families experience.

CHOC provides the following:

  • Scholarship funding to assist children with cancer who require extra tuition through disruption of education;
  • Funding into research and studies investigating the causes and treatment of childhood cancer;
  • Support groups to assist families to cope with the stress that the diagnosis brings;
  • Information and items of immediate practical use that are made available to all newly diagnosed families;
  • Accommodation close to the treatment centres for families from out-of-town;
  • Assistance with transport costs where necessary.

Funds raised are applied to directly benefit the children and their families, and also support those involved in the treatment of these most serious illnesses. CHOC does not recieve funding from Government.

The name CHOC (an abbreviation of “Childrens Haematology Oncology Clinics”) was used by the first local parent group, established in 1979. In 2000 a new national organisation was formed, linking parent groups in all parts of the country.

Part of the treatment of childhood cancer is stem cell transplantation and especially umbilical cord blood stem cells.

Netcells provided an exert on Stem Cell Technology and Uses for the CHOC parents handbook as well as sponsoring the printing of these handbooks. The handbooks will be distributed to the parents and families around the country with children suffering from cancer.

Footprint Foundation (www.footprintfoundation.com)

The Footprint Foundation has recently been set-up as a non-profit organisation started by cyclists who want to make a difference in the life of others.

The Footprint Foundation currently supports the Entokozweni creche in KwaZulu Natal.

C.H.A.N.C.E Children’s Home (www.chancechildrenshome.co.za)

C.H.A.N.C.E Children’s home is situated in Dunnotar, Springs. They are a registered non-profit organisation who provide a safe, secure and therapeutic environment for children. Many of these children are orphans, some were abandoned by their parents and some neglected or physically/sexually abused.

Netcells Cryogenics chose to support C.H.A.N.C.E Children’s Home in 2009 as their charity and since then has been encouraging as many people as possible to donate to Chance in whatever way possible.

Netcells gave a cash donation and had a Christmas Party for the children in December. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the party. Netcells is also sponsoring the new born baby twins that arrived in October 2009.

Netcells will continue their support throughout 2010 and are looking forward to spending time with the children.

W.O.M.B.S

"Netcells supports the work of the Doulas and the importance of Ubuntu - "giving back to the community" and to this end provided baby clothing to go into the Christmas packs handed out to needy Moms at State Hospitals.

Doula is a Greek word meaning "woman who helps women". In South Africa Doulas are also known as Childbirth Companions and they are increasingly visible in our labour wards ensuring that every woman experiences the most positive and memorable birth possible. W.O.M.B.S are one such group operating in the Western Cape and are indeed passionate about their role in childbirth and subsequent support if required."