Bake hope for children with cancer

INTERNATIONAL Childhood Cancer Day is on February 15, and Cupcakes of Hope (CoH) aims to raise R500 000 to significantly impact the lives of young cancer patients in need of financial assistance for their medical care.

CoH invites South Africans to contribute to their goal of giving hope for a better future by hosting or supporting a Party of Hope. You can set up a mini pop-up cupcake sale at your workplace, at your child’s school during playdates or even at weekend gatherings with friends.

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The concept of Parties of Hope originated in 2014 when CoH founder Sandy Cipriano and her team expanded their vision beyond their initial September fundraising for International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which includes National Cupcake Day.

“With the growing need for medical resources, we decided to encourage year-round donations. We urged people to bake cupcakes, sell them in unique ways and donate the proceeds. The response and willingness to join our mission have been overwhelming,” explains Cipriano.

CoH directly makes monthly and sometimes weekly payments to the medical providers of cancer patients. Additionally, volunteers deliver care packages to hospitalised patients. The funds cover a range of needs, for example, items, like wheelchairs and critical surgeries, and addressing the physical, emotional and medical needs of patients.

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Thanks to the ongoing Parties of Hope hosted throughout the year. They garnered an additional R1 million for children with cancer. This allowed them to respond to nearly 3 000 medical requests at 20 medical facilities across South Africa. Over the past three years, the average number of patients assisted monthly by CoH has grown from 100 to 230. The demand in 2024 is expected to be even higher.

“We aim to make hosting a Party of Hope fun and impactful. Given the relentless nature of cancer-related expenses, we recognise the challenges faced by parents of children with cancer. To create a better tomorrow, we must start today, and we’re eager to build momentum towards our 2024 goal,” says Cipriano.

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To host a Party of Hope, register as a baker on the website, Cupcakesofhope.org, before February 29. Commit to baking 24 or 48 cupcakes – though more are always welcome – organise your sale, bake, raise funds and donate to CoH. Their Cupcake Angels will provide all the necessary details for your donation.

Businesses interested in larger-scale involvement should email bake@cupcakesofhope.org. An ‘Angel Pack’ can also be ordered from the website, which contains awareness leaflets, a #Bake4cancer apron, balloons and baking cups.

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