The Joburg SPAR Women’s Challenge takes place during Breast Cancer Awareness month which is an important time of year for our race beneficiary, Reach for Recovery. Their work in the community supporting women afflicted with breast cancer is remarkable and we are proud to be able to contribute to their success as an NGO through donations made from the race proceeds.

Reach for Recovery provides much needed support to those who have been affected by breast cancer. Their volunteers consist of women who have already walked this difficult path and are now helping others along the way. They offer pre- and post-operative guidance and counselling and are there to listen, answer questions and provide non-medical and practical advice. They provide a comfort kit to patients consisting of literature, a sponge, a soft underarm pillow and a bag for the drain. Most important is the provision of a soft temporary prosthesis for women who have lost a whole breast and not undergone immediate reconstructive surgery. Reach for Recovery also helps to promote breast cancer awareness through regular talks.

For more information, visit www.reach4recovery.org.za.

The Smile Foundation is a South African non-profit organisation that was established in response to a call made by the late Nelson Mandela. The organisation helps children with facial abnormalities and burns to receive corrective plastic and reconstructive surgery. Smile Foundation has partnered with 17 academic hospitals in South Africa, where they invest in skills development programmes and purchase much-needed medical equipment and consumables. In addition, they offer psychological support to patients and their families before, during, and after surgery. They also provide parent-toparent support, enabling parents and caregivers to connect with other families who have walked the same journey.

Their vision is to help children live a life inspired by confidence and possibility; no matter their circumstances, they aim to transform the lives of children affected by facial abnormalities and severe burns through the best possible medical and psychological care. This aligns perfectly with the SPAR Women’s Challenge Jozi’s theme for this year #4Smiles.

HeadStart Kids has been operational since 2016 in South Africa. We currently provide micronutrients to over 40 000 children each and every day.

Malnutrition is the underlying cause of over half of childhood deaths in South Africa. It systematically destroys a child – from their cognitive development, their immune system, their body as well as their muscle growth and makes them more vulnerable to disease and death.

HeadStart Kids is a non-profit registered section 18a company. We rely on the funding and support we receive from corporations and individuals which allows us to improve the lives of so many little ones that have been forgotten or overlooked in society.

“Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body is deprived of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function.”

John Hopkins Medicine

https://headstartkids.co.za/