Be the Hope and register as a blood stem cell donor

The Sunflower Fund's Allison Ekstrand, Natalie Wilcox and Xolani Hlongwane (Donor Recruitment Specialist) are pumped and primed for the 2019 Annual Pick n Pay 5km Fun Run / Walk in support of The Sunflower Fund taking place on Sunday, 15th September commencing at 9.30am. The entry fee is R70 and includes a 2019 Sunflower TOPE (Tube of Hope).

The Sunflower Fund in KZN will be holding a mobile donor drive and is appealing to the public to further register as stem cell donors at the event and join the fight against blood diseases. Donors have to be between the ages of 18 and 45, weigh over 50kg with a BMI of 40 and less, lead a healthy lifestyle and be willing to help any patient in need. Those interested should please visit The Sunflower Fund Registration tent at least an hour before consuming any food and beverage. To register takes about 10 minutes and involves completing a health screening questionnaire and a DNA cheek swab.

The run/walk starts at the Amphitheatre in front of SUNCOAST and runs along the boardwalk to the Durban Spa Vacation Resort and back. Pre-registration is strongly recommended.

Pre-registration takes place at the Pick n Pay Hyper Durban North Customer Service Desk on Saturday, 7th and 14th September between 10am to 5pm and at the Suncoast Amphitheatre on Saturday, 14th September from 1pm to 3pm and Sunday, 15th September, from 7.30am to 9.00am. For online registrations please visit https://www.webtickets.co.za

Prize-giving will take place directly after the race and exciting lucky draw prizes will be awarded. A prize will be also awarded to the biggest corporate and school entry. A number of celebrities will also be lending their support by signing TOPE's at the event where you can also have your photo taken with them. People of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to participate as all funds raised will enable The Sunflower Fund to create awareness and education about blood stem cell donation, recruit more blood stem cell donors, grow the patient support fund and maintain a registry of committed donors. This in turn means greater hope of life for patients who are diagnosed with life-threatening blood diseases and who are in need of a blood stem cell transplant from a matching unrelated donor.

The Sunflower Fund would like to thank Pick n Pay, SUNCOAST and Round Table Natal North Coast for making the event possible and for their continued support.

For event details, please contact The Sunflower Fund KZN office on 031 266 1148 or email kzn@sunflowerfund.org . For more information on The Sunflower Fund or how to become a stem cell donor, please call toll free 0800 12 10 82 or visit https://www.sunflowerfund.org