Staff and learners at Siyabulela Primary School in partnership with the Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei (DKMS)Africa celebrated Sunflower Day on Friday 15 September by unveiling an art mural at the school.
The event was organised by DKMS Africa to honour those who lost their lives because of blood cancer or those who are struggling with the disease.
DKMS Africa is an international non-profit organisation committed to the fight against blood cancer.
Nomsa Shosha, the school principal, described the event as educational. She said the school feels honoured to be part of the campaign that is educating people about blood cancer.
Shosha urged people not to underestimate the power of painting. “Our classrooms are not just becoming bright in colour, they are also carrying the message about the importance of blood donation. The painting also educates the community about blood cancer.”
She urged people to normalise donating blood, regarding it as a message that is not only for the learners and their parents, but the entire community.
DKSM Africa public relations and communications coordinator Lizwi Ncaluka said the organisation has teamed up with local schools to create art murals symbolising hope and transformation in the fight against blood cancer.
She described the project as part of an ongoing campaign to engage the public on blood cancer and stem cell transplantation.
“Sunflower Day is an annual event which focuses on fundraising and raising awareness about blood cancer. This year we collaborated with Siyabulela primary and Isilimela high (both from Langa) and Fisantekraal primary (from Durbanville) in honour of those who died of blood cancer and also highlighting the urgent need for more donors on the South African registry.”
Ncaluka stated that through the art mural, the schools are igniting hope and driving transformation for those in the fight against blood cancer.
She declared every 72 minutes in the country someone is diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood disorder.