Children with rare diseases spend a lot of time in and out of hospitals, so an organisation working towards awareness has created a “Be Brave Box” to help them fight their battles.
South Africa – Rare Diseases SA (RDSA) have come up with a way to help the brave little warriors who battle rare diseases. The organisation was founded in 2013 as a support group for patients and parents. Since their founding, the organisation has blossomed into a fully fledged non-profit that helps guide families through early diagnosis and lifestyle adjustments.
Last year, the organisation launched Rare Disease Day to help raise awareness for the struggles children face. Now they are launching a Mandela Day initiative. RDSA have started a project that will help the children with rare diseases cope better when they have to go to the hospital. They have created the “Be Brave Box”. A box filled with useful goodies to make life a little more comfortable in the hospital.
“As parents and patients, many of us can attest to the boredom and fear that hospitals can provide, particularly for children, especially those admitted for lengthy periods of time or invasive procedures. In order to make their stay more tolerable, we’ve started the Be Brave Box initiative – a small box of practical, useful treasures gifted to children on admission to help keep them entertained and know that someone is thinking of them.”
What goes into a Be Brave Box?
We have a simple poem to guide the contents of the Be Brave Box, but we’ve listed a few ideas below to help you decide. Please select a gender and age for the patient you would like to gift to ensure the contents is age appropriate and indicate this on your box (which can be packed in a reusable plastic tub or a decorated shoe box):
Something yummy for my tummy,
- a box of biscuits,
- a little pack of sweets (preferably not chocolate as it melts),
Something nice for my precious Mummy,
- Hand cream,
- Biscuits,
- picture frame,
- scented candles,
- bath salts
Something with which I can play,
- Toys,
- colouring books and crayons,
- Sudoku books for older children,
- puzzles,
- craft sets,
- aromatherapy play dough,
- board games,
- makeup sets
Something warm for my overnight stay,
- Blankets,
- slippers,
- socks,
- colourful beanies or scarves,
- bean bag heat packs,
- pyjamas
Something to keep me clean,
- facecloths,
- wet wipes,
- toiletry hamper,
- shower gel,
- bath bubbles,
- bath bombs
Something to encourage my dreams
- Storybook,
- inspirational letters,
- lavender infused bath bubbles,
- journal and pen set,
- aromatherapy play dough
They have created a Pinterest board filled with ideas on what you can fill your box with, you can find it here. If you don’t have time to pack a box, you can pledge a box via their website for just R250, and RDSA will pack the box for you. You can find it here.
The organisation is urging companies and individuals to contribute towards the boxes. They will be used to support:
- Rare Diseases South Africa
- Paedspal Paediatric Palliative Care
- Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children
- Lambano step down facility
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