Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Foundation

SAPICS ASSISTS THE WALTER SISULU PAEDIATRIC CARDIAC FOUNDATION

The supply chain association with a big heart

Just in time for Christmas, SAPICS (The Association for Operations Management of Southern Africa) marked the season of giving by handing over a cheque for R25 000 to the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Foundation (WSPCF).

"We are delighted to be supporting this worthy cause," says SAPICS president Reuben Badana. "It was a promise made to the teams who participated in the supply chain web-based learning game, The Fresh Connection, that we would make a significant contribution to this cause. It's a pleasure to be honouring this pledge. SAPICS is committed to being an association with a heart," he states.

The WSPCF is a philanthropic paediatric cardiac foundation which aims to raise the much-needed funds to pay for life-saving surgery for underprivileged children with congenital heart disorders from across Africa. The cardiac surgery or intervention is undertaken at the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa, situated in Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg, as well as at Cape Town’s Netcare Christian Barnard Memorial and Red Cross Children’s Hospitals. Founded by Dr. Robin Kinsley in 2003, the foundation was established as a living legacy to the late Walter Sisulu and his wife, Albertina.

WSPCF CEO, Lynda Bleazard, comments: “Fewer than 30% of South African and 1% of African children will benefit from corrective cardiac surgery, which will enable them to live long and healthy lives.  This is our challenge – making people aware of congenital heart disorders, helping to develop the skills to diagnose and treat these disorders, and making surgery as widely accessible as possible, regardless of location or cost."
The WSPHF, under the leadership of the Sisulu family, CEO Lynda Bleazard and Dr Kinsley, continues to go from strength to strength and, to date has been able to raise enough money to save the lives of over 400 children. SAPICS's donation will fund a dedicated ICU nurse for a recent heart transplant patient.

For further information on the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa please visit www.wspcc.org.za or contact them on 011 257-2017.
Photo caption:

SAPICS's Tonya Parker (left) and Clare Fincham (right) with Lynda Bleazard, CEO of the  Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Foundation

SAPICS - The Association for Operations Management of Southern Africa - comprises professional members from across the spectrum of South African industry. Since its foundation in 1966, SAPICS has become a leading provider of knowledge in supply chain management, production and operations in South Africa. The association is closely affiliated to APICS The Association for Operations Management in the United States.

SAPICS is the South African custodian of two internationally accredited certification programmes - Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP). The association’s education offerings are aimed at advancing industry's ability to succeed in a changing and increasingly competitive market place.

The Annual SAPICS Conference and Exhibition is the premier educational and networking event in Africa for Supply Chain management professionals.
The 33rd Annual SAPICS Conference and Exhibition will be held at Sun City from 26 to 28 June 2011.

For further information, please contact:

Wendy Zipp at Express Communications
011 022 2759 / 082 338 9523
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OR

Jenny Froome at SAPICS
011 023 6707
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www.sapics.org.za