How you can do your bit to fight childhood cancer in South Africa

In the developing world, a child dies of cancer every three minutes. It is a shocking statistic, but childhood cancer does not need to claim this many lives.

The last 30 years have seen childhood cancer-related mortality halve in many high-income countries. With survival rates as high as 80% we know the knowledge, expertise and treatment exists. The problem is that it is too often confined to the developed world. That’s why resources like the Red Cross Children’s Hospital need to be protected.

In 2017, the hospital’s oncology ward admitted 1366 young patients and saw another 2407 outpatient visits. At seven years old, Imraan is just one of these – fighting stage three Burkitt Lymphoma.

“I am not going to bury a seven-year-old,” his mother explains.

Imraan was resident at the ward for three months and has just undergone intensive chemotherapy. Today, he is much stronger, but is still being monitored and continues to spend quite some time in the hospital to receive his chemotherapy and further treatments.

Imraan is a fighter, and thanks to the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, his family can be sure that he will receive the best possible treatment and care. But with the ward operating at 94% capacity – and referral numbers on the up – they need your help to make sure that their dedicated team has the resources and equipment needed to keep this iconic ward on par with international standards.

In 2017, a team of 70 Royal Parks runners raised more than £31,000 for the Trust, and this year’s sights are set even higher.

“I am forever amazed by the enthusiasm, drive, and commitment of our supporters, and of what we – as a small team of Trustees, staff and volunteers – can achieve,” says UK Chair of Trustees, Benedict Hall. “Last year our Royal Parks runners did us proud. I know we can raise the stakes again!”

With 100% of received donations (excluding Gift Aid) travelling straight to Africa, this year’s Royal Parks Half Marathon could be your chance to give children like Imraan the lifeline they need.

On Sunday 14^th October 2018, 16 000 runners will take to the tree-lined paths of London’s Royal Parks Half Marathon. Sign-up with the Children’s Hospital Trust, South Africa, and you can help upgrade the Oncology ward at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town. 

To join the Children’s Hospital Trust’s 2018 Royal Parks team, contact Jennifer Parsons on jen@childrenshospitaltrust.co.uk or 020 8144 9833.