28 May 2008

Fundraiser towards Carey’s Bone Marrow fund

We kicked off the show with Carey Boucher who is awaiting a bone marrow transplant. This 25 year-old Kenilworth resident was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in November 2007. This followed a visit to a dermatologist when she noticed bruises developing all over her face. Tragically there is no match for her in the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR). A search for a local donor in South Africa was unsuccessful and they had to turn to the SABMR Institute to search for possible international donors.

Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. Just as there are many different types of white blood cells, so there are many types of leukaemia.

If you would like more info call Carey on 079 420 8716. Other fundraising initiatives can be viewed at the website www.carey-boucher.com. These include an SMS campaign where one can SMS the word HOPE to 38665 at R10 and proceeds will go to Carey’s fund. The South African Bone Marrow Registry website is www.sabmr.com, or telephone (021) 404 6445, or e-mail ernette.dutoit@uct.ac.za

Childline focuses on the Boy child for Child Protection Month

We then had social worker at Childline- Abigail Long regarding Child Protection Month. Childline’s focus for Child Protection Month is the ‘boy child’. With a focus on the boy child, the intention is to empower and encourage boys to talk. Statistically, one in six boys in South Africa will have been sexually abused before they turn 18. Childline Western Cape find that they do work with more girls than boys, who have been sexually abused, so it is important to empower boys to talk about their feelings and to understand the impact of the abuse on their lives and their emotions.

If you would like to utilise their services or want more info call 021 372 5591

Teenagers and Alcohol Booklet

Later we were joined by the Director of the ARA- the Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol use- Adrian Botha. Yesterday they launched the ‘Teenagers and Alcohol’ booklet. The booklet is a guide for parents and teenagers. The aim of the booklet is to assist parents in initiating conversations with their children about alcohol related issues and will be initially introduced as a pilot project into participating schools in Cape Town

For more info call ARA on 021 702 3032 or fax them on 021 702 2367

Masigcine Childrens Home

We ended off today’s show with Hilda De Beer from the Masigcine (Let us Protect) Childrens Home. The Home is a facility which offers a place of safety to abandoned and orphaned children. In 1989 Eddie Schaeffler form Kuilsriver and a welfare worker saw the need of the homeless, deserted and neglected children in the Mfuleni area. The Home can accommodate 30 children from 3 months to 6 years-old.

For more information call 021 909 1397 or 084 404 1296