Eastern Cape communities are set to come together for a sweet cause as three regional malls join forces with Cupcakes of Hope (CoH) to support children fighting cancer. On 27 September, Walmer Park Shopping Centre in Gqeberha will take part in National Cupcake Day, alongside 79 other shopping centres across the country.
CoH is a South African non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children diagnosed with cancer. Its flagship event, NCD, is the country’s largest cupcake fundraiser. In 2024, the initiative mobilised 2,000 volunteer bakers, known as Cupcake Angels, and raised more than R2 million to assist young patients.
“Oncologists, hospitals, social workers and hospices all contact us with requests to assist,” said CoH founder, Sandy Cipriano. “For a donation of R10 – R20, and a cupcake in return, people greatly help us to support little warriors fighting cancer. Since 2020, the number of children we support has nearly quadrupled. In just the last month, we helped over 140 young cancer warriors, the youngest only a year old.”
On NCD, participating malls provide space for bakers to display their home-baked cupcakes, with all proceeds going to CoH. The funds raised cover essential costs such as medical expenses, nutritional support, nappies, and other vital needs.
“National Cupcake Day is such a special and fun way to help little warriors make their fight against cancer a little bit easier,” Marlene de Beer, Cupcakes of Hope’s Eastern Cape coordinator, said. “Last year, we received incredible support from Eastern Cape communities. For example, our stalls at Walmer Park Mall ran out of stock three times – but they kept getting replenished. I am looking forward to seeing people’s reactions and support this year.”
Since its launch in 2012, CoH has supported more than 10,000 families. In 2023 alone, it fulfilled 2,568 financial support requests, delivered 3,022 activity care bags to 21 paediatric oncology wards, and celebrated 111 patient birthdays.
For bakers: Registration to bake for National Cupcake Day 4 Children with Cancer is open.
Not a baker? You can still make a difference: donate ingredients or packaging (flour, sugar, oil, eggs, margarine), visit your nearest participating mall on the day and give R10 – R20 for a cupcake baked with love, or donate online.
For more information, email bake@cupcakesofhope.org.
