“Our ultimate goal is to raise awareness and funds for sufferers of leukaemia and other life-threatening blood disorders to assist The Sunflower Fund in growing the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR),” says Cecilia Hiemstra, whose husband, Tak received life-saving stem cells in 2013 from an unrelated donor found through the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR).

The tour started at the Grasmere toll plaza and ended in Cape Town on Friday, 6 March. The cyclists rested overnight in Kroonstad, Bloemfontein, Colesberg, Richmond, Beaufort West, Matjesfontein and Paarl before they made a grand entry into the Mother City. The MEC of Health, Qedani Mahlangu cycled the first leg from Johannesburg to Kroonstad and the final leg from Paarl into Cape Town where they were joined by stem cell survivors on their bikes.

They were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters which included, Deputy Mayor of Cape Town, Ian Neilson and CEO of The Sunflower Fund, Tarryn Corlett.

“This was not an easy task, however we paid tribute to the incredible struggle and suffering of  patients fighting for their lives,” says Annelies Lievens, the tour captain, who has made the trip all the way from Belgium to join the team. Lievens is a former South African cyclist.

Four tandems and three single bikes made their way through the Free State and the Karoo with two support vehicles who provided much needed snacks and drinks at regular stops. They were also responsible for mechanical support and other logistics throughout the ride.

'Spreading light and hope across South Africa' is the slogan on the riding gear. Over the eight days, the cyclists stopped over at local hospitals, to visit the oncology wards, with the aim of encouraging patients suffering from cancer.
Funds raised through this event will assist The Sunflower Fund to educate, recruit and pay the test costs for potential bone marrow stem cell donors to join the South African Bone Marrow Registry.

The Sunflower Tour of Light concluded with a fundraising banquet at De Grendel Restaurant in Durbanville on Friday, 6 March.

“On behalf of The Sunflower Fund and The Sunflower Tour of Light Team, we would like to offer our profound thanks to Europcar, JSE, Computershare,  Cyclelab, Sasfin and Reckitt Benckiser for their valuable sponsorships without whom, the Tour would not be possible”, added Hiemstra.

If one would like to help these selfless cyclists with a donation towards this cause, phone Shelby Zimmerman, PR & Events Specialist for The Sunflower Fund, Gauteng on +27 11 781-4200. Alternatively phone toll-free 0800 12 10 82 or visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za for more information on how to become a bone marrow stem cell donor.