2019 Sept Articles Archives

Support Sunflower Day and Save Lives

Sunflower Day is on 20 September. This is an initiative organised by The Sunflower Fund, which is committed to fighting life-threatening blood diseases like leukaemia. For just R30, you can get behind this important health campaign and make a difference to the lives of those affected by a blood disease.

How to Take Part in Sunflower Day

Show your support by buying a Sunflower Day “Tube of Hope” or TOPE. The TOPE is a funky fabric accessory that can be worn as a bandana, scarf, headband or armband. There are six colourful options to choose from. TOPEs are available at Pick n Pay and independent pharmacies, and can also be purchased online.

About the Sunflower Fund

Every year, thousands of adults and children around the world are diagnosed with blood diseases, and in many cases, they need a bone marrow/ blood stem cell transplant as part of their treatment. Unfortunately, there is just a 25% chance of these patients finding a match from within their family. The other 75% must rely on finding an unrelated matched donor to help provide this life-saving treatment.

The Sunflower Fund is a donor recruitment centre and stem cell registry. They maintain a registry of potential donors, who are committed to helping those who need life-saving stem cell transplants. The fund raises money to cover the cost of education and raising awareness about becoming a blood stem cell donor, and the cost of the testing involved in donor recruitment.

The Sunflower Fund also has a patient support fund available, to help patients who can’t afford the cost of a transplant.

Become a Donor this Sunflower Day

Sunflower Day is the perfect time to join the Sunflower Fund’s donor registry. Becoming a donor is quick and easy, and it can help to save lives!

To qualify as a donor, you must:

Be between 18 and 45 years old.
Weigh more than 50kg
Have a BMI of less than 40.
Lead a healthy lifestyle.
Be willing to help any patient in need.

Other Ways to Show Your Support

If you can’t be a donor, there are plenty of other great ways to get involved. Make a cash donation, become a volunteer or set up a fundraising campaign in support of The Sunflower Fund.

This September, wear your Sunflower TOPE with pride, and encourage your family, friends and coworkers to do the same!

For more information about becoming a donor or getting involved in other ways the Sunflower Day, call The Sunflower Fund at 0800 12 10 82 or email hello@sunflowerfund.org.

Sources:

Sunflower Day 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.sunflowerfund.org/sunflowerday/

Smart Foods for Heart Health

Heart disease is often linked to unhealthy lifestyle factors, including lack of exercise and a diet that’s lacking in proper nutrition. By adding the right nutrients to your diet, you can make sure you’re eating more foods for heart health on a daily basis, and reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Top Foods and Snacks for a Happier Heart

Add these foods to your diet, to support the health of your heart:

Leafy greens: Green leafy veggies like kale and spinach are packed full of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin-K, which plays a role in protecting the arteries and promoting proper blood clotting. Leafy greens are also a source of dietary nitrates, which can help to reduce blood pressure and promote artery health.

Whole grains: Whole grains give you more nutritional value than processed grains, as they include all three nutrient-rich parts of the grain (the germ, endosperm, and bran). They’re rich in fibre, which can help to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease. Brown rice, oats, barley, buckwheat and whole wheat are common examples of whole grains.

Oily fish: Fatty and oily fish like sardines, pilchards, tuna, mackerel and salmon are high in healthy fats known as omega-3 fatty acids. Omegas are known for their heart health benefits, helping to decrease diastolic blood pressure and keep cholesterol in check. They’re also known as great brain-boosting nutrients!

Avocados: Avos are much more than just a trendy breakfast food. They’re also an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, heart-healthy fats which have been linked to lower LDL cholesterol and lower heart disease risk. Plus they’re packed with potassium, which is essential for a healthy heart.

Nuts: Crunchy nuts make for a satisfying heart-healthy snack. For example, walnuts are high in fibre, magnesium, copper and manganese. Almonds are high in fibre and monounsaturated fats. Including more nuts in your diet can help to keep those cholesterol levels in check, and support the health of your heart.

Seeds: From flax to chia to sunflower seeds, there are so many heart-healthy options out there. Seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and fibre. They have good anti-inflammatory properties, and can assist with keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels healthy.

Berries: Not only are berries sweet, juicy and delicious, they’re also very good for your heart. They are high in antioxidants, which protect your system against oxidative stress and help to reduce inflammation. They’re also high in fibre, vitamin-C and vitamin-A. Add strawberries, blueberries and blackberries to your diet for some great heart health benefits.

There is a great variety of foods for heart health available, and by making a few smart choices you can easily give your heart the support it needs.

Sources:

15 Incredibly Heart-Healthy Foods. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods