#WomensMonth: Rynfield woman raises funds for life-saving surgeries
“Through people’s goodwill every little contribution has a huge impact on the lives of those in need.”
It is estimated that 11 000 children are born with congenital heart defects in South Africa annually.
Once diagnosed some of these patients may have to wait for three years before corrective surgery is undertaken at various state hospitals, at which point many of the life-saving surgeries may become highly technical and in some cases performed as the patient has reached critical condition.
Initiated by the Round Table Golden East 181 (GE181), Nicole Perry of Rynfield has since 2008 been the sole fundraiser and coordinator of the organisation The Boikanyo Foundation.
Working with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (and the Nelson Mandela Trust, The Boikanyo Foundation has been instrumental in raising funds for more than 150 paediatric cardiac surgeries over the past 12 years.
According to Nicole, the foundation solely sees to funding the consumables needed to perform these operations, while the trust oversees the procedural funds.
As a former recipient of the prestigious Lady Circle of the Year award, Perry has spent most of her life doing charitable work and overseeing fundraising for various organisations such as the Round Table, The Lady Circle as well as Girls and Boys Town.
In 2010 Perry and her family immigrated to the UK where she continued with her work within the corporate sector often rubbing shoulders with the royals but on their return to SA in 2021, she once again took up the reigns at the foundation, ensuring that funds are available to those in need.
“Since the beginning of the year, we have successfully funded consumables for operations for 13 young patients ranging from new-born to eight. All of which are referred to us through the hospital,” said Perry.
“I seldom have the opportunity to meet the patients and their families but once their operations have been successfully performed I get to interact with a child that can live a normal life, free of pain or any constraints. It is miraculous and feeds the soul knowing you did something of value to help.”
She said that the foundation needs R50 000 on average to secure everything that is needed to perform these operations.
“In retrospect, it may not sound like much, as the operations are proactive in ensuring that the defects are fully repaired at a young age thus ensuring that every child can enjoy a healthy and fulfilled life,” said Nicole.
“Unfortunately when these patients have nowhere to turn other than state hospitals with extended waiting lists the NMCH gives them everything they need to ensure that their child receives the best possible medical care.”
On charity work, Perry says that spending 30 years serving on various clubs’ fundraising committees as well as charitable organisations’ fundraising is a great deal of fun.
“We have had so much fun arranging fundraisers and being able to meet our goals is one of the best feelings in the world,” she said.
“My involvement has not only fostered life-long friendships but it has rubbed off on my children. They are always mindful of how fortunate we are and how our involvement can impact the lives of others.”
For more information about The Boikanyo Foundation visit www.boikanyo.org.
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