By Cat Pritchard
With so many diseases and disasters plaguing our continent, we often forget about the individuals and the lives they affect. Like 17-year-old Radhiyyah, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and is currently receiving treatment at Groote Schuur Hospital. What does she want most in the world?
She wants what every teenager wants – to feel pretty, even if for just a few hours. Which is exactly what Reach For A Dream and Mango clothing did for her when they organised a surprise shopping adventure for her at her favourite store – Mango.
On the day, the unsuspecting 17-year old accompanied by her parents and two sisters stepped inside the store, not knowing what lay in wait – a R5000 Mango voucher, VIP treatment and her own personal fashion advisor, TV personality Natalie Becker.
Radhiyyah had plenty to choose from off the racks, she had many accessories such as belts, bangles, necklaces, sunglasses, handbags and earrings to choose from. Anything her heart desired was paraded for her, like a scene straight out of Pretty Woman.
Thanks to the hard work and passion of Reach for a Dream and the companies and celebrities
that support them, Radhiyyah’s is one of many stories of hope and happiness in the midst of immense pain and suffering. But there are so many more patients to reach. Each year, over 12 million people receive a cancer diagnosis and 7.6 million die of this illness. In between there is years of hope from initiatives like Hospice and countless caring home-based carers.
World Cancer Day might have passed us (4 Feb) but there is still every opportunity to help.You can start by simply supporting (buying or donating) a Hospice charity store or by contacting Reach for a Dream to see how your company can get involved.
Every glimmer helps.