8th Annual Crafts for Cancer workshop – October 2017

Use your creative flair and passion to help raise funds during Breast Cancer Awareness month!

Unless you have been through it yourself, no one can imagine the reality and journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer, let alone finding the courage to fight the disease. Try and imagine not being able to attend your treatment sessions because you don’t have transport to and from the clinic. Something we sometimes take for granted. Sadly, this is the reality for many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer at the Tygerberg Hospital Breast Clinic.

The Tygerberg Hospital Breast Clinic Fund aims to assist ladies by providing access to transport so desperately needed, both to and from the hospital for treatment. This assistance alleviates the burden that patients may face – such as choosing between feeding their families and getting to their treatment. Radiotherapy lasts for 16 or 25 days and at an average cost of R50 per person per day for transport, this can equate to a large financial burden – especially for a low-income household. About 240 women will require between R800 and R1250 each for transport to get to their radiation treatments. The fund, which has historically only been used for transport, will soon be expanded to include providing nutritional support for qualifying patients. This will include providing vouchers that can be redeemed for basic food and sanitary supplies.

Join Pink Lady® apples for their annual Pink Lady® Crafts for Cancer Workshop, to raise funds for the Tygerberg Hospital Breast Clinic Fund. Explore your creative side and learn the art of String Art. After a relaxing morning of creativity, guests will indulge in a delicious Pink Lady® inspired lunch and be entertained with the music of our guest artist, Luna Paige.  Luna will be singing a selection of songs from her most recent releases as well as favourites from her earlier works. Renowned bassist Schalk Joubert will also join her on stage.

“It is a privilege to once again be able to host our annual Pink Lady® Crafts for Cancer event” said Liza Matthews, Marketing Manager for Pink Lady®.  “This is our 8th event! We started small with 25 ladies and are thrilled that the event has now grown to over 100 ladies on the day.”

This year’s memorable day will be held on Saturday 14 October 2017 at the very beautiful Vrede en Lust Wine Estate. Vrede en Lust have taken the cause to heart and made a large contribution to the event, which includes their beautiful venue for the day and some of their award-winning wines. Pink Lady® apples have once again teamed up with Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, who are co-sponsoring the event. All funds raised from the event ticket sales will be donated to the Tygerberg Hospital Breast Clinic Fund.

Donations have grown year on year with a total of R70 000 raised in 2016. The funds raised were from the ticket sales for Crafts for Cancer 2016 and a charity drive involving the Cape Epic Cycle race. Any donations aside from ticket sales are always welcome.

“We chose this event, because although treatment costs are covered by Government, some patients cannot afford the transport costs to and from the hospital for regular radiotherapy sessions. We want to make a difference by making their lives a bit easier. Every year I am amazed by how many ordinary people, like you and me, can be so extraordinary! Ordinary people who share the Pink Lady® team’s passion and enthusiasm for the charity that we support”, commented Matthews.

Marketing Director of Tru-Cape, the largest exporter of South African apples and pears into 104 countries, Conrad Fick, commented: “Tru-Cape is pleased to co-sponsor Crafts for Cancer with Pink Lady®. Surviving cancer is something that the Tru-Cape team have first-hand experience of as we have witnessed the struggle some of our staff have undergone during treatment.”

“Tru-Cape is proud to be associated with Pink Lady® apples and to co-sponsor such an inspiring event. Our wish is to see more patients being able to live healthy, happy lives,” added Aileen Zulch for Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing.

Prof. Justus Apffelstaedt, Head of the Breast Clinic at Tygerberg Hospital, will be giving a talk on Breast Cancer and Breast Health at the event.

Prof. Justus Apffelstaedt said: “Many of our patients live on government grants with their families; these are only about R1 620 per month; transport to Tygerberg often costs R150 for a single visit. The choice between having enough to eat for the family and transport for therapy is stark. We’re also looking forward to expanding the fund to provide nutritional support to our patients, many of our patients struggle to put food on the table and having a correct, balanced diet is crucial during the recovery period”

Pledge your support for those who need help in their fight against breast cancer by attending the Pink Lady® Crafts for Cancer Workshop at the stunning Vrede en Lust Wine Estate.

Tickets are on sale from 1 August 2017 at a cost of R310 per person. Ticket includes the workshop, tools, a goody bag, delicious lunch, soft drinks, tea, and coffee.

Registration is at 08h30 with the class beginning at 09h00 sharp. Space is limited so please book soon to avoid disappointment. If you are unable to attend, donations to the fund would be greatly appreciated.

Any queries or donations can be directed to Theresa Richards: 021 874 1033 or theresar@topfruit.co.za