Rising costs of transportation is a hurdle that South Africans face daily. This is never truer than for people who are sick and who, on top of finding the personal strength to fight their diseases, still need to pay for transport to regular clinic and hospital visits for on-going treatment. 

 

It is this plight that Pink Lady® apples are trying to alleviate with their annual Crafts for Cancer workshops which Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, the largest marketer of South African apples and pears, is co-sponsoring for the seventh consecutive year. Pink Lady® apples use the Crafts for Cancer workshop to raise funds for the Tygerberg Hospital’s Breast Clinic Transport Fund. 

Professor Justus Apffelstaedt , head of the Breast Clinic, Tygerberg Hospital, explains; “Many of our patients live on government grants with their families which are only about R1 200 per month. Transport to Tygerberg often costs R150 for a single visit. The choice between having enough to eat for the family and transport for therapy is stark one.” 

Professor Apffelstaedt will be giving a talk on Breast Cancer and Breast Health as part of the event on Saturday, 15 October at D’Aria in Durbanville. 

“At Crafts for Cancer you will make a Vintage Painted Sign with the talented Lizel Cloete, owner of Create Studio and freelance craft editor for Ideas magazine. This year our theme is ‘The Art of Growing’,” says Liza Matthews, marketing manager for Pink Lady® apples.

“Just as Pink Lady® apples need attention and care to grow into beautiful apples, we encourage people to grow within themselves to live a happy, healthy, and balanced life. We chose this event, because although treatment costs are covered by Government, some patients cannot afford the transport costs to and from the hospital for regular radiotherapy sessions. We want to make a difference by making their lives a bit easier,” she adds.

Matthews continues; “From humble beginnings in 2010 with 25 ladies attending ,we now are thrilled to host over 100 ladies at our crafting morning. The continued support we have had from ladies throughout the Western Cape over the years has been phenomenal. Every year we are blown away by the enthusiasm and passion each and every lady shows for our event and the charity we support.” 

“Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing is proud of our association with Pink Lady® apples and to co-sponsor such an inspiring event. Our wish is to see more patients being able to live healthy, happy lives,” says marketing director Conrad Fick, adding that Aileen Zulch, Tru-Cape Fruit marketing sales manager: United Kingdom, will represent Tru-Cape at the event. 

Registration on Saturday, 15 October at D’Aria, Durbanville is at 08:30 with the class beginning at 09:00. The cost is R290 per person, which includes workshop, tools, lunch, entertainment, all soft drinks, tea and coffee, and a goodie bag. The full ticket price will be donated to the Tygerberg Hospital’s Breast Clinic Transport Fund. 

For bookings, phone Theresa Richards on 083 457 0763 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

For more information, visit www.tru-cape.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or onTwitter.