CHOC Tattoo-A-Thon at Chapman’s Studio
Cold weather forces us all to stay inside and close the doors, but CHOC has opened many warm South African hearts in its annual International Tattoo-a-thon effort.
What started out as a community project soon became one of SA’s most anticipated fundraisers! Tattoo-a-thon originated from an educational course called the Self Expression & Leadership Programme which in turn came from Landmark Education, an international company that started in 1991 with the goal of making a lasting and profound difference for people and the quality of their lives. Jordan Gray took part in the project back in 2012 and what started as an amazing idea, soon took on a life of it’s own, so Tattoo-a-thon was born in the Mother City.
With studios all across South Africa participating, last year saw R250 000 raised with a total of 28 studios taking part in the project. This year marked the very first international Tatttoo-a-thon and figures are still being tallied to judge the financial success of the event.
The motivation behind the CHOC Tattoo-a-thon is not only to raise awareness and much needed funds for childhood cancer, but to shed the stigma of tattoos and tattooing in general. Even in this modern day and age, people with tattoos are still discriminated against not only in the work place, but also in personal terms with gang affiliation such as the Japanese Yakuza or the Capetonian Numbers Gang being one of the top misconceptions of tattooed individuals.
The funds raised during the event goes straight to CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA (a non-government funded organization). These funds are applied directly to the benefit of children with cancer and their families as well as those involved with treatment of these horrible illnesses.
Donation and fundraising projects like the Tattoo-a-thon are the lifeblood of the organization and they call on all SA citizens to stop the tattoo bias and support these children in need!