National Cupcake Day has been announced—a chance to make wishes of support for children fighting cancer come true simply by lending your sweetest skills to the cause!
South Africa (21 August 2024) — For over a decade, National Cupcake Day has marked the intersection between cupcakes and community kindness in South Africa. And this National Cupcake Day, cupcake angels (volunteer bakers) are dusting off their aprons to whip up even more hope for children fighting cancer in our country.
For Sandy Cipriano, founder of Cupcakes of Hope, an NPC and PBO that provides assistance and support to families and children diagnosed with cancer largely through cupcake-centric fundraising, it’s remarkable to see how much their angels have achieved and how many wishes of support they have helped bake into reality—quite literally.
“We have assisted more than 10,000 patients over the past 20 years…My husband and I started to raise funds for children with cancer when a friend lost her 3-year-old to cancer. In 2012, we registered the non-profit Cupcakes of Hope. Since then, via the community-driven National Cupcake Days, over R10 million has been raised to provide for hundreds of young cancer patients and their families every month. This includes covering their medical bills and other essential needs, from nappies to nutrition and everything in between.”
Cupcake angels like Eli Mienie, who coordinates the Western Cape malls, reflects on what a full circle experience her time with Cupcakes of Hope has been.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago. During treatment, I realised how bad the experience would be for a child. I then decided that I would like to give back in some way. When a friend saw that CoH were looking for volunteers to help at Canal Walk on National Cupcake Day, I contacted them immediately. The bug bit me, and 12 years later, it is still so wonderful to see children’s faces when we provide them with something. I am privileged to make my small contribution to be able to make a difference.”
Year on year, oncologists, hospitals, social workers and hospices all contact the NPO for assistance. This on top of requests from the Cancer Association fo South Africa’s Tough Living with Cancer Programme.
Since 2020, the number of patients that are able to access support has quadrupled. And as of July this year, over 220 young cancer patients received financial assistance!
“God truly has blessed our cause with the most amazing volunteers in the world!” says Sandy. “Thousands of bakers and volunteers give their time, ingredients, love and passion all year, every year. There is honestly nothing sweeter to me than seeing the excitement and joy that everyone shows on our biggest day of the year – National Cupcake Day. From the feedback that we get from the general public, they enjoy it too!”
National Cupcake Day Details
This year’s National Cupcake Day is already premised to be a big bash with around 2,500 bakers expected to participate. The big day will take place on 28 September, just in time for the start of spring and as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
How it Works
- Bakers volunteer to become cupcake angels or help out on Cupcake Day by selling treats.
- Registered bakers will need to make 24 or 48 cupcakes before delivering them to a mall of their choosing.
- Malls across the country participate, providing space for the cupcake pop-ups.
- This year, 70 malls are participating. Make sure to check out the one nearest to you (under ‘Select Mall’) on the day to support the initiative if you aren’t baking!
- Thereafter, funds head to Cupcakes of Hope to support the children and families in their network.
Get Involved
You can lend your skills in the kitchen and help bake hope into the lives of South Africa’s children facing the kind of battle no one should go through unsupported here.
Sources: Cupcakes of Hope Supplied
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