Every two minutes worldwide a child is diagnosed with cancer – a sad fact in this era of great medical and technological advances

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL SPOKESPERSON DURING 2018/19, Lions Clubs International elected the 102 year old organisation’s first female International President, Gudrun Yngvadottir of Iceland, and she introduced Lions Fifth International Service Pillar – Childhood Cancer.

Following intensive local research Lions District 410A adopted the Childhood Cancer and Haematology Unit at the specialist Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town.

Built with donations from World War 2 soldiers in memory of their fallen comrades, it stands as a beacon of hope for children throughout the country, sub-Saharan African and often the world.

Individual Lions members and their clubs have a long association with the hospital through donations and directly assisting young patients.

Cancer is a word that strikes fear into anyone and more so when it’s a child.

The District Chairman for Childhood Cancer who initiated and managed the project, Lion Clive Fox of Merriman Lions Club, said that becoming aware of those with this life-threatening condition can be a “gut wrenching” experience.

Yet, often when you step into the reception area of the Cancer Unit you see children of all ages happily playing with each other or their carers and they all have happy smiles!

Last upgraded in 2005, the unit needed redevelopment in order to cope with increased patient numbers and to be able to provide improved facilities for patients and their families.

Lions’ financial contribution of SAR 400 000 was raised from clubs and individual Lion donors from District 410A (Western Cape, Northern Cape and Namibia) and Lions Clubs International Foundation, Chicago, USA with each donating fifty percent.

The CHC Unit now has two separate modern Family Patient Consulting rooms each named in honour of the Lions of 410A and its International Foundation.

Further recogniindividual tion appears on the glass donor plaques surrounded by colourLion ful butterflies. Clive Fox explained that the project continues with the aim of providing direct patient benefits through dedicated transport with linked local hospitals up to George, educational and recreational needs, food aid, palliative and family care facilities.

Lions Clubs International sponsors are: Postnet Tableview, West Coast Village and Sandown – call 021 556 1457, High Performance Floors (Industrial) – call 082 453 3272, and CA Products – Custom 4 x 4 builds/ accessories – call 083 708 5003