The RE/MAX Foundation recently joined forces with the Children’s Hospital Trust in Cape Town, main fundraiser for the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital situated in Cape Town. This initiative falls in line with RE/MAX International who has supported the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in the United States since 1992, raising in excess of US$ 100 million. Peter Gilmour, Chairman of the RE/MAX Foundation says. “The Foundation will be supporting a number of the programs at the Red Cross including the Breatheasy Program, which provides specialized equipment for young patients enabling them to recover in their own homes, surrounded by their families, as opposed to being confined to a hospital ward.”

Breathing might be a simple act that many take for granted, however for a great number of children this vital act of sustaining life is impossible. Young Yaqeen was one of the children on the Breatheasy program at the the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, which provides care to approximately 90 children who require tracheotomies. The Hospital is the only facility in sub-Saharan Africa that currently offers a Tracheotomy and Ventilation homecare programme. Around 10 to 15 of the children who are in the care of the programme will need ongoing long-term home ventilation.

Born in September 2010, Yaqeen was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a condition that affects the nerves of the spine and causes the muscles to weaken. Although Yaqeen was unable to sit by himself just a few months ago, he has recently taught himself to sit up straight again, proof of his wonderful fighting spirit and the fact that each case is unique. In December Yaqeen received a tracheotomy to which a ventilator could be attached, and after training was given to his family and caregivers, Yaqeen was discharged from hospital to be reunited with his family at their home in Manenberg, Cape Town.

Through donations from RE/MAX Broker/Owners, founder donors, sales associates and the other members of the RE/MAX network, the RE/MAX Foundation was able to assist Yaqeen and provide the means for his homecoming. Sandy Smith, RE/MAX Foundation Manager, RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says: “We are extremely proud to have been able to contribute to help get Yaqeen home to his family. It is the vision of the RE/MAX Foundation to assist people to improve themselves and strive to be the best they can be. We are particularly focused on supporting the upliftment and development of the youth, and positively impacting the lives of young people in Southern Africa,” she says. “Although the RE/MAX Foundation is still in its infancy the support has been overwhelming and it is humbling to have met so many people from all walks of life who are so passionate about improving the lives of those less fortunate. It is our goal to continue to find areas where the RE/MAX Foundation can make an impact to help uplift and develop children in South Africa,” she concludes.

RE/MAX of Southern Africa, founded in 1994 by Peter and Val Gilmour, is regarded as the pioneer of the RE/MAX international expansion as it was the first country franchise to be sold outside of North America. Today RE/MAX of Southern Africa is the top performing RE/MAX region in the world, and was ranked as the largest real estate brand in South Africa in a Finweek feature during 2011.

RE/MAX of Southern Africa has launched The RE/MAX Foundation, a non-profit charitable organisation that aims to uplift the lives of families and individuals in need. Since its inception, RE/MAX in South Africa has donated in excess of R7million and through the RE/MAX Foundation, aims to grow its support for many different causes around the country.

RE/MAX is recognised as one of the leading global real estate franchise companies with the most productive sales force in the industry. Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX. 

Issued by Squared Communications On behalf of RE/MAX of Southern Africa

WESLEY BARNARD
011 462 8959
wesley@squaredcommunications.co.za