Smile Foundation asks businesses, public to step up in fight against COVID-19
Johannesburg – Smile Foundation is appealing to businesses as well as individual members of the public to assist the medical professionals working tirelessly on the frontlines to combat the spread of the COVID-19 in South Africa.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize and our government, have called on South Africa to unite and reduce the curve to overcome the virus. While we are heeding the call to remain in isolation, thousands of medical staff are putting their own health and well-being on the line in an effort to help treat the infected. We are urging you to assist these valued members of our society who require our continuous support,” comments Hedley Lewis, CEO of Smile Foundation.
He says donations are critical for helping hospitals with medical equipment, masks and gloves.
Smile Foundation Executive Chairman and Co-Founder, Marc Lubner says as the pandemic worsens, the organisation’s call to assist will be greater than ever.
“Unity is the key to overcoming this epidemic. As we have close relationships with both the National Department of Health, local departments of Health and the Academic Hospitals, we are also receiving requests for assistance for theatre scrubs for staff coming to the hospital to prevent infection, additional masks and equipment, Lubner continues by considering what would the wisdom of Madiba be in these times. He would want us to be “responsibly kind.” Take precaution for yourselves but help others. Only through working in support of one another can we overcome! Let’s acknowledge and thank the healthcare workers who put themselves at risk to care for us all! Whether this virus decimates our people or acts as the unification we South Africans want…is up to us!”
Hedley says the organisation stands ready to help in any way it can in supporting the authorities and medical professionals in preventing the spread of this virus.
“As you can see your support is more important than ever, and we urge you to consider your assistance to both our foundation and those on the frontline. This is the moment when humanity needs to unite, a moment when our country needs to unite, a moment when your contribution will have the greatest impact.”
“We support and salute all doctors, nurses and care workers on the frontline of South Africa’s battle against coronavirus.”
We have built a portal on the Foundations website – specifically to take donations from the public and corporates which has already seen an influx of donations since we have launched. Items have already been sourced and are being delivered.
Donations can also be made via EFT:-
Smile Foundation,
Bank RMB (Use FNB for EFT’s)
Acc. No: 6219 302 6864,
Br Code 261251
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About the Smile Foundation
We’re About Putting Smiles on the Faces of Children in South Africa.
Smile Foundation is a South African NGO that assists children with any type of facial or other conditions, to receive reconstructive surgery within South Africa. We help children who suffer from treatable facial anomalies such as cleft lip, cleft palate, all burns, Moebius syndrome (facial paralysis) and other conditions. We are currently based in 11 Academic Hospitals around South Africa. We are investing in the medical teams we work with, through an Academic Skills programme, and we assist the hospitals by purchasing equipment for use by the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Our Chief Patron, the late honourable Nelson Mandela’s wish is for us to assist as many children around South Africa as possible to alleviate the stigma attached to living with a facial condition. For more information, visit the Smile Foundation or 0861 276 453. Make a donation today! Help put a smile on a child’s face today! SMS “Smile” to 38413 to donate R10.