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30 September 2020 | Story Nitha Ramnath | Photo Supplied
SWSA represented by Mariné du Toit (left) and Lyshea Mapaike(right) at the handover of the funds raised

Sunflower Children’s Hospice, situated on the ground floor of the National District Hospital, is a non-profit organisation that provides care and compassion for all children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. As far as possible, the hospice aims to keep children within their families and communities, with relevant supervision and support.  However, the hospice is also a permanent residence to many children.

At Sunflower Children’s Hospice, children and their families are provided with:
• palliative care, including pain and symptom management;
• quality of life;
• relief of suffering;
• support for child and family/guardians;
• developmental stimulation;
• support during the bereavement period;
• dignity in death;
• community participation; and
• relevant training.

Due to limited funds, the hospice experiences many financial challenges, which motivated the Social Work Student Association (SWSA) to become involved. Their involvement led to the establishment of the ‘#Adoptaflower’ project by raising funds for the organisation and getting more Social Work students to spend time with the children, as they do not have enough caregivers at the house to give them the special personal attention that they need.  This project was spearheaded by Mariné du Toit, Portfolio Head: Community Upliftment of the SWSA. 

The fundraising initiative collected R1 300 from selling raffle tickets to the university community.  Due to COVID-19 and the lockdown period, it became impossible to proceed with the intention of the Social Work students to spend more time with the children.  

Besides Social Work students not being able to proceed with their intention of interacting more closely with the children concerned, the lockdown unfortunately also affected it negatively in other areas.  The hospice needs assistance with clothes, toiletries, and groceries. Sunflower House therefore needs funds and sponsors to continue providing services to so many children in need of care and support. For more information regarding public involvement, 051 448 3813 is the number to call. 

News Archive

Life Healthcare presents its first lecture at the UFS
2008-02-19

 

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Sports Medicine Programme presented the first annual Life Healthcare sports medicine lecture with Mr Mike Flemming, Managing Director of Life Healthcare, as guest lecturer. His lecture was on: "South African private health care - Asset or liability".

During the lecture a charter was presented to Mr Flemming for the Life Healthcare sponsorship of the Master’s Programme in Sports Medicine. The programme presents a masters degree in sports and exercise medicine for doctors, including specialised preventative and lifestyle care, medical care of the athletes and patients with chronic diseases.

At the lecture were, from the left: Mr Flemming, Prof. Teuns Verschoor (Vice-Rector: Academic Operations at the UFS), Dr Louis Holtzhausen (Programme Director: Sports Medicine at the UFS), Mr Lourens Bekker (Manager: Life Rosepark Hospital), and Dr Stephan Pretorius (master’s student in Sports Medicine).
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

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