Thanks to the unprecedented support shown by SAVRALA’s members, the 2008 Community Outreach Golf Day held during April in Benoni, raised R100 000 for STEPS Charity.
In a letter of thanks to the association, Karen Moss, CEO of STEPS Charity said she has been amazed by the generosity shown over the past three years.
“It has been an honour to work with your association and members over the past three years and we are so pleased that the golf day has grown in stature and fundraising year-on-year. Without SAVRALA’s assistance, we would never have been able to achieve as much as we have been able to.
“Since receiving SAVRALA’s first donation in February 2006, some of our milestones to date include:
- 2006: 1st Ponseti clubfoot seminar – Focus on paediatric orthopaedic surgeons
- 2007: 2nd Ponseti clubfoot seminar – Focus on Public Health
- 2008: Johannesburg Hospital Ponseti Clubfoot Clinic Project
- 2008: 1st Annual Clubfoot awareness week 3 – 9 June (Started in SA, STEPS UK then joined us)
- 2008 – Karen Moss nominated for Shoprite Checkers Woman of the Year (Health category)
“These are only the first steps in our long-term programme working with medical professionals to revolutionise clubfoot care for all South African babies, no matter their socio-economic status.
“As you may know, congenital clubfoot is more common in South Africa than the world average and there are around 2 000 babies born here every year that need treatment for clubfoot. Although we are encouraged by our progress, there is still so much more work to do with government as well as private and public health care facilities to ensure that the Ponseti method becomes the accepted standard for clubfoot.
“On behalf of the future generations of clubfoot babies of South Africa, STEPS extends our warmest gratitude to you and all the wonderful members of SAVRALA.
On a personal note, I am so touched by the fact that due to our combined efforts, so many babies have the chance for the pain-free and effective treatment that my husband Steve and I were able to get for our son Alex in the US.
We trust that we will have the opportunity to work with SAVRALA again in the future.”
The 2009 SAVRALA Community Outreach Golf Challenge is scheduled for February 2009.