The Mariette Loots Cancer Trust was founded by Barbara Mariette Loots who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Follicular Lymphoma, at the age of 25 in March 1988. Through her experiences and from observing cancer sufferers around her, Mariette decided to become more and more actively involved in awareness projects and fundraising campaigns and thus established the Trust. Mariette fought a ten-year battle with cancer before passing away in October 1998, aged only 35. A fighter to the very end.
Today the trust continues to operate by raising much needed funds through fundraising activities and the generosity of sponsors and members of the MLCT Honorary Patron’s Club. The Trust has been able to upgrade the facilities, buy medication and new medical equipment for many organizations, including The Red Cross and Tygerberg Hospital’s Children’s Cancer Wards, Eikenhof’s Interim Home for Cancer Patients in Athlone and the Kalafong Hospital & University of Pretoria Children’s Cancer Ward, amongst others.
In association with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), the Mariette Loots Cancer Trust also sponsors various merit awards and two national awards. These awards are bestowed to various cancer volunteers for their commitment to cancer sufferers and basis.
The Mariette Loots Cancer Trust is a registered non-profit organisation and Janie du Plessis is the Honarary President of the Trust. |
