The Pink Trees for Pauline (PTFP) organisation, in collaboration with The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is adorning Cape Town’s trees with pink ribbons to promote and raise funds for breast cancer awareness during the month of October.
Pink Trees for Pauline, a non-profit organisation launched in 2012, was inspired by founder Carol-Ann van Jaarsveldt’s losses. Carol-Ann lost both her mother and grandmother, both named Pauline, to breast cancer. She was moved to do something that would make a difference, and thus Pink Trees for Pauline was born to raise breast cancer awareness.
Initially, they sold material to the public for R20 a metre and encouraged them to wrap all the trees in Graaf Reinet, where Carol-Ann is from, with the pink fabric. Since then, the movement has grown momentously and reached more parts of the country. In 2017, 100 towns across the country participated, and 80% of the funds were used in aid of improving the quality of life of those living with cancer within the participating towns.
In 2018, they ran their first ‘Doek with a Difference’ campaign in association with CANSA, which has achieved great success. In this campaign, members of the public were encouraged to purchase the pink material or a doek to support cancer awareness.
“Through the success of the 2018 Pink Tree’s campaign, CANSA was able to purchase a variety of medical equipment that our patients need, while receiving treatment and fighting cancer,” says Gerda Strauss, CANSA Head of Service Delivery.
“It is the support of this wonderful campaign that has allowed CANSA to do even more for our patients. We encourage the public to support us again this year with the wrapping of trees or wearing their trendy ‘Doeks’. This is motivation enough to get everyone involved with this cause. The “Doek with a Difference” initiative will run until 31 October 2019. All used material will be recycled by CANSA,” Strauss continues.
To support this important cause, you can purchase a doek/scarf or the material, available in pink or green, for R70 from any CANSA Care Centre country-wide.
