Welcome to our blog, sit tight as we tell you more about Choc Childhood Cancer Foundation in this post.
Are you ready? Then let’s begin!
What Is CHOC?
A non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children and teenagers with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders, as well as their families.
CHOC’s enthusiastic and dedicated staff and volunteers strive to save lives by providing early detection and comprehensive support programmes for cancer families.
As a complement to the many medical fraternities, CHOC provides mental, emotional, and practical support.
Historical Background Of CHOC
In 1977 Sister Sadie Cutland and her husband Julian’s firstborn, Hillary was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia at the age of seven.
Two years later while leaving the ward one day Sadie was particularly saddened because Hillary had been diagnosed for two years and she had yet to meet another parent of a child with aplastic anaemia.
Professor MacDougal then sowed the seed that gave Sadie the idea of forming a parents’ support group in Johannesburg. The objective was to share experiences and provide one-on-one support to each other. Sadie encouraged and inspired a group of volunteers and parents in 1979 who united to form CHOC.
The caring and sharing came from personal experiences of the different emotional journeys and situations that both the parent and child could find themselves in and were shared openly, without reservations and with much love.
From this hope was born and today CHOC is the leading childhood cancer organisation in South Africa providing a comprehensive child and family support to thousands of childhood cancer beneficiaries.
From humble beginnings today we augment the medical fraternity in hospitals across the country. What started off as a need for support, today is the helpline to many in need. These needs include psychosocial, emotional support and care, accommodation in 13 CHOC homes for patients to reside in, transportation of patients and caregivers in the fleet of 21 safe vehicles and so much more during their childhood cancer journey and beyond.
CHOC Programmes In South Africa
CHOC offers free support to families of children and teens with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders. This is all made possible through corporate sponsorship as well as donations from groups and individuals wanting to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer.
Below are some of the programmes run by CHOC cancer foundation all year round.
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Emotional Support
- Practical Support
- Awareness and Education
- Advocacy and Collaboration
- Additional Programs
How to donate to CHOC
Here’s how you can donate to CHOC:
- Visit their website (www.choc.org.za)
- Click on donate now at the top of your screen.
- Select the payment method you wish to use for your donation or scan the QR code.
- Enter the amount and your pin to make payment.
- There! God bless you for donating.