Hikers take on Sani Pass
Outdoor enthusiasts braved Sani Pass in support of The Sunflower Fund.
EAGER hikers gathered at the base of Sani Pass on Sunday, 19 June to take on the Jade Sky Hike, held annually in memory of Jade Preston, who passed away at the age of nine after losing her battle with leukaemia.
The hike also served to highlight the great need for awareness and much-needed funds for those currently facing the same plight.
One-hundred-and-eighty enthusiasts of all ages braved the eight-kilometre pass to Lesotho in the cold and windy weather. Although the weather wasn’t ideal, spirits were high as hikers challenged themselves to walking up the pass while celebrating life, honouring those lost to cancer and supporting those fighting cancer at present.
The Midlands 4×4 Club once again ensured the hikers had water and support all the way to the top of Sani Pass and back again until the last hiker was safely back from the challenging 16-kilometre round trip.
It was a treat to have leukaemia survivor, Josh Rencken, join the crowd on the hike. In 2010 the hike was in honour of Josh and he has walked it a few times since his struggle with and triumph over cancer.
An amount of R20 000 was raised, which will be split equally between The Sunflower Fund and cancer patient, Veroney Judd-Stevens. The Sunflower Fund donation will go towards the creation of awareness and education and the registration of stem cell donors on the South African Bone Marrow Registry. This gives hope to patients and families facing leukaemia and other life-threatening blood disorders, as the more donors there are on the registry, the more hope patients have of finding their one in 100 000 life-saving stem cell donor match.
For more information on The Sunflower Fund or on how to become a stem cell donor, please visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za or call toll-free on 0800 121 082.
