“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do” - Mother Teresa
In 2013, after losing a child to cancer, Bonni Suckling started Rainbows and Smiles, an organisation that provides emotional, social and financial support to families and caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer.
And after a staff member’s child was diagnosed with cancer too, the OUTsurance staff took the fight against childhood cancer to heart and nominated Rainbows and Smiles for our Staff Helping SA OUT (SHSAO) initiative. Each year our staff dedicate their personal time through SHSAO for community outreach and charity projects which they nominate themselves.
Our awesome staff members rallied together and collected crayons and colouring books for children affected by cancer – which will go a long way to keeping the children busy while they undergo their daunting treatments – as well as Easter eggs for their siblings who often feel a little left out.
Rainbows and Smiles aspires to create hope, smiles and relief for families affected by cancer, while also doing important work in promoting early detection of cancer.
How you can get involved.
There are a number of ways to get involved in this worthwhile organisation:
- Donations that help with medical bills and expenses for the children
- Toys and activity books for a child with cancer to have something to occupy their time
- Host a party or fundraising event
- Actively promote the Gold Ribbon which encourages childhood cancer awareness and promotes early detection
Did you know?
Over 50% of childhood cancer cases go undiagnosed or result in late detection. Early detection of cancer in children can save lives!
Knowing the signs is half the battle.
1 in 600 children are diagnosed with cancer in South Africa. Over 70% of these cases will be successful if diagnosis happens early enough. Here are the warning signs to look out for in your children.
- Continued unexplained weight-loss
- Headaches
- Increased persistent swelling of the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis and armpits
- Lumps or masses
- Development of excessive bruising
- Consistent infections
- A whitish colour behind the pupil
- Nausea
- Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness
- Eye or vision changes
- Recurrent or persistent fevers of unknown origin
There is always hope and there is always something to be done. Thanks to the good work of Rainbows and Smiles and the incredible support of our staff, children and families affected by cancer have a reason to smile.
You can learn more about our SHSAO initiatives here.