Wrap a tree in pink for cancer

The Rotary Club of Amanzimtoti is going to be working around the clock this October to wrap trees in pink in Toti and surrounding areas, to raise funds for Khanya Hospice.

“Cancer is a serious matter, full stop,” said CEO of Khanya Hospice, Neil McDonald. “To be diagnosed with cancer can be a traumatic experience, not only for the patient, but also for the family and friends of the patient.

To be a cancer survivor is a luxury a lot of people do not have. It does help to be a member of a medical aid and to be supported by your loved ones while you concentrate on getting better.

There are many patients who do not have medical aid and have very little, if any, financial support. Then this battle suddenly becomes a creature of a totally different nature.

Helping those who need it most is therefore the driving force behind the ‘Pink Trees for Pauline’ initiative.”

Carol-Ann van Jaarsveldt took the legacy of her mother and grandmother, both named Pauline, and turned it into an epic tale of hope, encouragement and belonging. To raise cancer awareness all the trees along the roads in her home town of Graaff-Reinet were wrapped in pink material.

This initiative has since spread to other South African towns.

“Where can you start? By contacting Rotary and contributing your first R100 for five metres of pink material,” said Neil.

Rotary has bought one kilometre of pink material to sell for this initiative.

“Challenge your neighbours, work colleagues, family or friends by wrapping your trees, pillars, fences and even your business in pink. This should be great fun for a good cause.

We challenge Toti businesses to donate R1,000 for a roll of 50m of pink material in support of cancer awareness month. Material will be taken down in November and donated to charity.”

For more information, call Aneska on 083-255-2588, Priscilla on 083-446-7661 or visit www.pinktrees.co.za.