Cupcakes of Hope is rallying South Africans to bake hope and sprinkle joy to raise funds for children diagnosed with cancer, one cupcake at a time.
The non-profit company is partnering with ten malls in the province for National Cupcake Day on Saturday September 30.
This year, during International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, bakers who pledge their contributions on the Cupcakes of Hope website can deliver their cupcakes to 3 Arts Village in Plumstead, Tyger Valley shopping centre, N1 City Mall, Canal Walk, Table Bay Mall, Liberty Promenade Mall, Cape Gate Centre, Zevenwacht Mall, Paarl Mall or Somerset Mall, on National Cupcake Day.
Cupcakes of Hope offers financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families, and according to its founder, Sandy Cipriano, the need for medical assistance has risen fourfold since the pandemic.
From the beginning of 2022 until now, Cupcakes of Hope had helped with an average of 235 monthly financial requests from 20 hospitals across the country, she said.
“In 2022, alone, they addressed 2 749 financial requests and delivered 2 660 activity care bags to patients in 20 paediatric oncology wards in key medical facilities nationwide,” she said, adding that weekly payments were made by Cupcakes for Hope towards patients’ medical bills or sooner if a medical emergency arose.
Ms Cipriano founded Cupcakes of Hope after being deeply moved by her friend’s 2-year-old daughter’s battle with cancer, and, in 2009, she raised funds for an 18-month-old boy named Kegan who was paralysed due to tumours on his spine.
“We raised R5000, which felt modest, but it transformed Kegan’s life. He recently celebrated his 15th birthday, proof that miracles happen every day.”
The charity was registered in 2012 when it hosted SA’s first National Cupcake Day 4 Kids with Cancer.
The heart of the charity, according to Ms Cipriano, can be found in its manifesto: “We believe in the transformative power of a single cupcake. We’re more than an organisation; we’re a community. Behind every cupcake lies a story of courage and resilience. We understand that even in the face of cancer’s darkness, a simple cupcake can radiate love and support. It’s not just about baking; it’s a call to action. We believe in the boundless potential of individuals coming together to change lives.”
Trish-Lynn Riley, the chief financial officer of the company that owns 3Arts Village, urged the public to help them “bake a difference” in the lives of children with cancer by supporting Cupcakes of Hope.
“On behalf of Cupcakes of Hope, we are calling for bakers to pledge to bake and donate cupcakes for National Cupcake Day on Saturday September 30. We are inviting the public and our local community to come and support the day. For R20, you’ll receive a yummy cupcake, get your face painted and grab a take-home snap at our photo booth – all in support of Cupcakes of Hope.”
To make a baking pledge or for more information, visit www.cupcakesofhope.org or email info@cupcakesofhope.org.
