Wool collection project brings a smile to cancer patients
The project was started to bring some cheer back into these people’s lives.
The Advertiser wool collection project has this year been used to bring a smile and some warmth to cancer patients.
Donations of wool were given to the Sunward Park Cancer Support Group, The Champions.
Volunteers including Elsie Jacobs, Wendy Skeens, Colleen Bell, Viv van Wyk, Claudette de Freitas, and Margaret Boshof, jumped on board to knit items such as care bears and blankets.
About 370 items were distributed among the children and adult cancer patients receiving treatment at the oncology centre at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (Joburg Gen).
Gwen Janse van Rensburg, who runs the support group with Myrtle Bell, started the project to bring some cheer back into these people’s lives.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer for the second time and had to undergo treatment at Joburg Gen, I realised the hospital sees over 300 patients a day,” said Gwen.
“These people are very sick and they don’t have extra money to buy things as all their money are used for transport to and from the hospital. This is why these donations are making a big difference.
“I would like to thank everybody who made the donations. It is heartbreaking but rewarding to see the smile on their faces when they each got a teddy and blanket.”
She said this was an ongoing project and that people are still welcome to donate their unwanted wool to the Boksburg Advertiser’s offices at 20 Sydney Street, Ravenswood.
For more information contact Gwen on 084 817 6572.
Those affected by cancer, or have lost loved ones to this condition and are interested in joining the Sunward Park Cancer support group, may contact Gwen on the given number.
They meet every second Saturday at 2.30pm at the Trinity Community Church in Sunward Park.
