Sunday 28th June 2020 marked a day to commemorate those courageously fighting cancer and other life-threatening blood diseases through the 13th Annual Jade Sky Memorial Hike, which for this year for the first time ever was a cyber-based campaign.
The hike is held annually in memory of Jade Preston who passed away from leukaemia at the tender age of eight. The hike was initially held to raise funds in support of Jade’s brave fight but it has since been held in her memory after she sadly succumbed to her illness. The event is driven by the Preston family and a passionate couple, Ian and Mandy Tyrer, of Maritzburg Tutor Centre. 2020 marked an especially significant event as Jade would have seen her milestone 21st birthday and The Sunflower Fund celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Supporters from around the country and across the globe including Belgium, Germany, the UK, Malawi and Belize made their mark by taking on a meaningful hike or walk near their homes – be it creative, adventurous, exciting, fun, challenging or funny. Participants made a much-need donation of R50 toward the worthy campaign and shared photos and videos of their own supportive initiatives across multiple social media platforms.
Funds raised were donated to selected patients and families affected by cancer as well as The Sunflower Fund partnered by DKMS to help the organization create awareness about the need for blood stem cell donors, as well as recruit and maintain a registry of donors committed to helping anyone in need of a life-saving transplant. This in turn means greater hope of life to patients affected by blood diseases such as leukaemia.
For more information on The Sunflower Fund or how to become a blood stem cell donor, please visit www.sunflowerfund.org or call toll free 0800 12 10 82.