Newsletter June 2019

 

CrazySocks4Docs2019:

A fun and funky way to focus on a serious issue

The Ithemba Foundation intended the CrazySocks4Docs Day on 7 June to be a fun and funky way to raise a serious issue: the mental wellbeing of those that look after us. And did we have fun! Not to mention the funkiness that went along with a day of wearing snazzy socks – meaning all of us literally gave the first steps to breaking the silence and the stigma surrounding mental health in the medical professions.

CS4D was originally started by Australian cardiologist Doctor Geoff Toogood in 2017, after he himself was on the brink of despair. According to statistics the health professions – ironically – have the highest incidence of depression and suicide – as also mirrored by medical students. We as the public should acknowledge that they, too, are human, and need to be able to say “Help me”. Or, as Doctor Toogood phrased it: “It should be ok for doctors to say I’m not ok.” As, indeed, also for medical students.

The Ithemba Foundation therefore wanted our first official CS4D Day to be a fun and funky campaign, but simultaneously the perfect opportunity to highlight a serious issue, namely to “Care4OurCarers”, Ithemba Foundation’s slogan for South Africa.

By putting on our funky socks to break the silence and the stigma surrounding mental health, also and especially in the health professions, means we as the public help break the silence regarding mental health.

We could not have done it without our partners Falke, who sponsored 10 000 pairs of socks that were distributed on our medical campuses across the country, and Cipla, who sponsored 2 000 pairs of socks that were distributed to medical practitioners.

And indeed, what a wonderful campaign, experiencing how we have all literally taken the first step in those snazzy socks of ours to show we care, and to break the silence and the stigma... and to take the “I” out of illness and replace it with “we” for wellness.

Check out our Facebook page to see a few of our fun sock selfies.

 

#run4ithemba #run4change

We have exciting news: The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon gives you the opportunity to take part in Africa’s only IAAF Gold Label-status marathon AND raise funds for Ithemba Foundation at the same time! The Cape Town Marathon takes place on 15 September this year and is one of the city’s most scenic races across its 42.2 km route. You can also take part in the 10 km Peace Walk (or Run).

Ithemba is the only mental health charity affiliated with the marathon, making it even more important to use this opportunity to #run4change for #ithembafoundation.

There are three ways that you can support the Ithemba Foundation via the Cape Town Marathon:

1. Enter the marathon via Ithemba Foundation
   
   If you haven’t yet entered the marathon (or the Peace Walk/Run), please consider entering via Ithemba. By doing so, a portion of your entry fee will benefit our fundraising efforts to increase awareness of and research on depression. Send an email to ithembafoundation@mweb.co.za to request your entry. Please also indicate whether you are a member of an athletics club.
   
   After you have paid the charity entry fee: R320 for the marathon (with an existing license) and R390 if you do not have a license (includes temporary license fee) and R160 for the Peace Run/Walk (with an existing license) and R200 if you do not have a license (includes temporary license fee), you will be sent a unique voucher code. Use this voucher code to enter online at www.capetownmarathon.com. Remember that entries close on 20 August 2019, so don’t miss the deadline.
   
   
2. Support Ithemba’s existing fundraising initiative
   
   Don’t have time to start your own page, but still want to help Ithemba? Great – we have a super easy and quick way for you to contribute. Click here to donate directly to Ithemba via an existing GivenGain fundraising project for Ithemba for the Cape Town Marathon. (Jana van Rensburg manages the #run4ithemba initiative and your donation goes directly to Ithemba.) Once you’ve donated, spread the word via your social media channels and encourage others to do the same. It feels good to make a positive difference where it really matters.
   
   
3. Start your own fundraising page on GivenGain
   
   Already entered the marathon or Peace Run/Walk online? No problem – you can still help by becoming a fundraiser for Ithemba on the GivenGain platform. Here’s how it works:
   
   Visit the Cape Town Marathon fundraising event page on GivenGain at www.givengain.com/e/ctmarathon2019 and click on ‘Start fundraising’. After logging in, you’ll be prompted to select a charity of your choice (search for Ithemba Foundation). Finish setting up your page by adding images or videos and then click on ‘Looks good, make it live’. Now share your fundraising project with friends, family and colleagues via email and social media. Remember to use the #ithembafoundation and #run4change hashtags. It’s a good idea to also make a first donation, just to get your fundraising going.

That’s three awesome ways to make a huge difference for Ithemba. So, get entering, clicking and sharing. We’re excited to see you at the #ctmarathon as we #run4change for #ithembafoundation.

 

Make a difference by joining our Hope Hike and Hope Bike in October

Grab your diary and flip – or swipe – through to October, because you definitely won’t want to miss out on the Hope Hike and Hope Bike this year.

The Hope Hike and Hope Bike are organised annually by Ithemba Foundation to raise awareness of depression and related illnesses such as anxiety as biological illnesses and to raise funds for research on mental health. This year’s events take place on Sunday, 13 October in the Cape and Sunday, 27 October in the North. You can choose to take part in a comfortable hike or trail run, ranging from 3 km to 10 km in length, or an exhilarating 25 km mountain bike ride.

Here are all the details you need to know:

Hope Hike and Hope Bike - Cape

Date: Sunday, 13 October 2019
Venue: Blaauwklippen, R44, Stellenbosch

Hope Hike and Hope Bike - Gauteng

Date: Sunday, 27 October 2019
Venue: Van Gaalen’s, Skeerpoort

The starting times for the various events on both days are as follows:

• 25 km mountain bike ride – 07:45
• 10 km hike/trail run – 08:00
• 5 km hike/trail run – 08:30
• 3 km hike/trail run – 08:40

Registration for all events starts at 06:30 on the mornings concerned.

How do I enter?

Online entries are now open for the Cape and Gauteng events. Click here to enter. Limited entries are available for both events, so please book now to avoid disappointment. Entry fees are as follows:

• 25 km mountain bike fun ride – R120
• 10 km hike/trail run – R100
• 5 km hike/trail run – R75
• 3 km hike/trail run – R50
• Students – R30
• Children under 12 – R30

October is around the corner, it’s South Africa’s Mental Health Awareness Month, so get your entry in and start planning an awesome day of fun and exercise in the great outdoors. We can’t wait to see you there as we break the silence and fight depression together.