The Sunflower Fund

The Sunflower Fund fights blood diseases like Leukaemia through the recruitment of stem cell donors and maintaining a registry of potential donors committed to helping anyone in need of a life-saving stem cell transplant. We fund raise to cover the cost of education and awareness about the need for and the process to become a blood stem cell donor as well as to cover the cost of the HLA tissue-typing test involved in the recruitment of donors. The Sunflower Fund also maintains a patient support fund to assist patients who are unable to afford costs associated with getting to transplant as well as being actively involved in creating a platform for support structures to assist patients, families and communities.

With an 18 year history, The Sunflower Fund prides itself in being the premier organisation in Southern Africa to recruit and create awareness about the need for stem cell donors. We provide access for tissue type testing through our partnership with Lancet laboratories and through working closely with the blood banks.

We have launched a partnership with the Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR) to increase the level of HLA –typing and launched an HLA Data Centre for Africa – the first of its kind for the continent. We are also a founding member of the Stem Cell Registry Alliance (SCRA), a joint initiative of registries across the Caribbean, UK and Africa who jointly aim to recruit donors of African ancestry, primarily from the countries of the member organizations.

The Sunflower Fund fights blood diseases like Leukaemia through the recruitment of stem cell donors and maintaining a registry of potential donors committed to helping anyone in need of a life-saving stem cell transplant. We fund raise to cover the cost of education and awareness about the need for and the process to become a blood stem cell donor as well as to cover the cost of the HLA tissue-typing test involved in the recruitment of donors. The Sunflower Fund also maintains a patient support fund to assist patients who are unable to afford costs associated with getting to transplant as well as being actively involved in creating a platform for support structures to assist patients, families and communities.

With an 18 year history, The Sunflower Fund prides itself in being the premier organisation in Southern Africa to recruit and create awareness about the need for stem cell donors. We provide access for tissue type testing through our partnership with Lancet laboratories and through working closely with the blood banks.

We have launched a partnership with the Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR) to increase the level of HLA –typing and launched an HLA Data Centre for Africa – the first of its kind for the continent. We are also a founding member of the Stem Cell Registry Alliance (SCRA), a joint initiative of registries across the Caribbean, UK and Africa who jointly aim to recruit donors of African ancestry, primarily from the countries of the member organizations.

The Sunflower Fund is a non-profit organisation registered in South Africa. We are dedicated to creating awareness through education and raising funds to cover tissue-type testing for the recruitment of blood stem cell donors.

Every year, globally thousands of patients with blood diseases such as leukaemia reach the point where their only chance of survival is a stem cell transplant. “Tissue-types” are hereditary characteristics, which are fundamental in the process of matching donors and patients. 25% of patients may find a match within their family. The remaining 75% are dependent on an unrelated matched donor. Genetically, the likelihood of finding a suitable unrelated matched donor is considerably greater within the same ethnic background. In addition to the understood ethnic diversity of the South African population, the 2011 Census released by StatsSA indicates that there are 2.19 million foreign-born people in South Africa. Research shows that the genomic variances between people of African descent are greater than those observed between European populations. This genetic diversity in African populations poses practical challenges for the transplantation medical community to find HLA-matched unrelated donors for patients in need of live-saving stem cell transplants.

A larger Registry significantly improves a patient’s prospects of finding matching stem cell donors.

In order to continue its valuable work, The Sunflower Fund relies solely on financial assistance from its dedicated funders – consisting of individuals, companies and trusts and foundations.

It takes just two test tubes of blood to become registered as a stem cell donor, but the tissue typing of each sample at the required molecular (DNA) level currently costs The Sunflower Fund R3 000 per test. Donors are asked to make a voluntary contribution to this expense, but these costs are primarily covered by The Sunflower Fund’s fundraising efforts.

Once the blood samples have been analysed, the individuals’ genetic information is then stored on a global database until the prospective donor is matched to a patient or turns 60 years old, which is the mandatory retirement age.

Miles4Hope is an opportunity for individuals to fundraise for the Sunflower Fund through any sporting endeavour/challenge that they plan to take on.

 We appreciate the fact that dedicated athletes are limited with their time and effort which is why the Miles4Hope campaign has been specifically designed to be as quick and simple as possible. Participating athletes are provided with all the necessary tools to approach their personal and work databases and rally the support of their colleagues, clients, friends and family to sponsor them per mile covered or as an overall donation.

All funds raised for The Sunflower Fund goes towards covering the tissue-typing tests involved in recruiting potential blood stem cell donors to give the hope of life to individuals diagnosed with life-threatening blood disorders.

To register your interest contact: Traci Sassenberg – 021 701 0661 / traci@sunflowerfund.org.za.

Sunflower Day ‘there is a hero in all of us’

One of the many ways The Sunflower Fund raises funds and awareness is through campaigns like Sunflower Day. Sunflower Day is all about rallying support for individuals diagnosed with life-threatening blood diseases like leukaemia. Over the past 15 years, it has grown beyond the sale of TOPES to an open source campaign through which schools, corporates, supporters and the general public celebrate Sunflower Day and raise funds for The Sunflower Fund. Sunflower Day (21 September) is on the South African Health Awareness Calendar for 2018.

The 2018 campaign aims to draw people out of slacktivism and get them mobilised and engaged around a simple action. Just choosing to do something for someone else and expecting nothing brings out the hero in all of us! The Sunflower Day campaign is about our heroes that choose to take an action: buying a TOPE or registering as blood stem cell donors to give the hope of life to our patients.

Sunflower Day 2017 mobilised the support of nearly 200 000 individuals who bought TOPES as well as 72 schools and more than 20 Corporates through 14 events countrywide and 16 key partners. We recruited 403 donors during the campaign period alone and achieved R63 million in media coverage in addition to trending twice at number 4 and number 6 on Twitter during September.

The campaign is a national integrated marketing and awareness campaign across a number of channels including traditional, online, social media, outdoor advertising, donor drives and events.

TOPES will go on sale first week in August and you can buy your TOPES from Pick n Pay, Zando, and Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA).

What is a TOPE?

An affordable, multipurpose article of clothing retailing at R30, and can be worn as a headband, mask, scarf, cap or arm-band. Being broadly versatile, it may be used in a wide variety of sports or outdoor activities and will be available in six eye-catching colours. The TOPE offers practical functionality for the entire family and also gives wearers the opportunity to show their support for this important cause.

How would I help?

Every year thousands of South Africans of all ages and races are diagnosed with diseases such as leukaemia, aplastic anaemia or some rare genetic disorders. At times their only hope of survival is a blood stem cell transplant from a donor who shares the same tissue type. Without this transplant it would mean certain death. It all depends on ordinary people like you … YOU could be the MATCH for someone with leukaemia or other life threatening blood disorders.

The chances of finding a match are about 1 in 100 000 and it could be you! You may well be the only one in the world who could save a life.

Who do we need as donors?

Every healthy person between 18 and 45 can be a donor. “Tissue-types” are inherited characteristics, and this is what is used to match donors and patients. As ethnic origin plays a significant role in the search for a donor, South Africa’s rainbow nation requires a large pool of prospective stem cell donors.

Why do people need bone marrow transplants?

A bone marrow transplant is a medical procedure performed to replace bone marrow that has been damaged or destroyed by disease, infection, or chemotherapy. This procedure involves transplanting blood stem cells, which travel to the bone marrow where they produce new blood cells and promote growth of new marrow.Every year, thousands of individuals with blood diseases such as leukaemia, marrow failure or aplasia, and inherited metabolic and immune deficiency syndromes reach a stage where only a stem cell transplant can drive the disease into remission.

Why are unrelated donors needed?

Family members, particularly brothers and sisters are generally most suitable. However, due to the average family size, only a small percentage of patients have a compatible sibling match. About 75 % will have to search for an unrelated matched donor.

How do bone marrow transplants save lives?

The patient’s diseased marrow is destroyed by combinations of cytotoxic drugs and radiation. The stem cells from the healthy donor is given intravenously. Thereafter the blood-forming stem cells travel to cavities in the large bones and, following engraftment, begin producing normal blood.

What is bone marrow?

This is the tissue that could be regarded as the factory for the production of red cells to carry oxygen, white cells to fight infection and platelets to prevent bleeding.

How are donors and patients matched?

In the same way as red cell blood groups exist, so white cells may be categorised into groups known as “tissue-types”. Very many possible tissue types exist, so that finding the correct match depends upon having a very large register of volunteers.

How are stem cells donated?

The stem cells may be obtained a simple procedure called peripheral blood stem cell collection ‘harvests’ the cells that are needed for a transplant. This is similar to the blood donation process but just takes a bit longer (4 to 6 hours).

Are there any side effects for the donor?

Sibling transplants have been taking place for more than 10 years; a short-term side effect is flu-like symptoms during G-CSF stimulation and a small percentage of donors have also reported mild bone pain after making the donation.

Where would I donate?

The medical procedure for obtaining stem cells is called a harvest. If you are asked to donate, you would be required to attend a specialist harvest centre in South Africa at no cost to the donor.

Is a transplant a definite cure?

Unfortunately, the field of stem cell transplantation is complex and a number of patients still die of complications, despite the best medical care.

Increasing numbers of successful transplants are being carried out using matched unrelated donors. However, donors can only be assured that they offer the hope of a future to patients whose disease would almost certainly otherwise prove fatal.

Where can I join?The Sunflower Fund recruits donors nationally through public donor drives in conjunction with the blood banks or sponsored corporate drives and wellness days. Interested parties can request their HR departments at their companies to arrange a drive or you can register telephonically via our call centre: 0800-12-10-82.

Is my donation secure?

Absolutely. The security and confidentiality of your information is our highest priority. We use industry-standard SSL (secure socket layer) technology to protect your information and provide a safe and secure environment for online donations. We will not sell, trade or share your personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations, and we will only share personal information if you have given us specific permission to do so.

Where can I join?

The Sunflower Fund recruits donors nationally through public donor drives in conjunction with the blood banks or sponsored corporate drives and wellness days. Interested parties can request their HR departments at their companies to arrange a drive or you can register telephonically via our call centre: 0800 12 10 82.

Keep in contact

It is vitally important that you keep us updated with your current contact details – so that you can be found when you are needed, because your details are kept on the registry until you are 60 years old!

Remember that all information that you supply is kept strictly confidential.

Can I receive a Section 18A receipt?

Yes, a bona fide donation in cash to a section 18A approved organisation, is entitled to a deduction from taxable income.

There are numerous ways you can get involved with The Sunflower Fund. You have the power to help — by registering to be a donor, volunteering, speaking out and donating. The work we do is fuelled by your support.

Every year thousands of South Africans of all ages and races are diagnosed with diseases such as leukaemia, aplastic anaemia or some rare genetic disorders. At times their only hope of survival is a blood stem cell transplant from a donor who shares the same tissue type. Without this transplant it would mean certain death. It all depends on the selflessness of ordinary people like you … YOU could be the MATCH for someone with leukaemia or other life threatening blood disorders.

Every healthy person between 18 and 45 can be a donor. Although family members, particularly brothers and sisters are generally most suitable, only a small percentage of patients have a compatible sibling match. About 75 % will have to search for an unrelated matched donor – and this is why we need YOU!

If you are not able to be a donor, please support The Sunflower Fund’s work in one of the following ways:

• Make an online cash donation
• Become a monthly funder of our work, this may be an amount of your choice
• Host a fundraising event on behalf of The Sunflower Fund
• SMS ‘Sunflower’ to 40555 and donate R20 to The Sunflower Fund
• Donate with your SmartShopper and MySchool cards (link to websites)
• Volunteer to assist with our regular fundraising events and donor drives
• Support our campaigns and events
• Consider leaving a bequest to The Sunflower Fund in your Will
• Assist the Fund on social media. By simply “liking” and “sharing” a post on Facebook or Twitter can be enormously beneficial and this broadens the reach to potential donors, funders and collaborations.

Hope begins with you!