The mission of Rainbows and Smiles is to provide emotional, social and financial support to families and caregivers in need when a child (or children) of that family is diagnosed with cancer. Rainbows and Smiles encourage childhood cancer advocacy and GOLD RIBBON AWARENESS to educate people, in the hope of promoting early detection. Our principles include creating hope, smiles and relief for families and caregivers of children with cancer.

As we are registered as a Public Benefit Organisation, donors may claim donations to the foundation as tax deductions. Donors may also claim BBBEE points against the socio-economic development element of the BBBEE scorecard.

Rainbows and Smiles is audited to ensure that funds received from donors go towards the needs of children it supports.

When you give platelets you give a child with leukaemia:

•     another birthday
•     another school day
•     another summer day
•     another laugh
•     another chance

Be a Platelet Donor

If you are already a blood donor, you’ll know how good it feels to help save lives. Perhaps you have heard about platelet donation from a friend or family member. The South African National Blood Service would like to offer you the chance to do something extra special.

We are asking you to consider becoming a platelet donor.

Good nutrition is particularly important when children have cancer because not only are the children growing and needing all the nutrients to develop healthy organs, bones etc, their growing bodies now also have to cope with various treatments and their side effects. Some children lose weight, grow more slowly, frequently feel tired or irritable and get infections more easily. These can be signs of poor nutrition. A well nourished body helps the body to fight infections, provides a general sense of well-being which makes children feel more relaxed and helps them better able to cope with the treatments.