About Our Organisation
The Center of Humanitarian Outreach Port Elizabeth (C.O.H.O.P.E) was founded by Dawid Potgieter and Trudy Simons in August of 2009.
Dawid was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma (non- Hodgkin’s) in July 2008. He was inspired when he himself faced daily obstacles like not being able to afford the upfront ambulance service fee of Ten Thousand Rand to transport him 4km, from his house to the hospital, for medical treatment.
Dawid wondered how people in disadvantaged communities coped with illness and unemployment, whilst Trudy was deeply concerned with the children of these communities, how they were coping with illness in the family, poor health, loss of parents and unemployment. Together they joined forces and founded the Center of H.O.P.E. (C.O.H.O.P.E.).
The organisation’s core purpose is to raise awareness about cancer, while providing support and empowerment to all those affected by cancer within the economically disadvantaged communities. We also strive to mobilise children from these communities to be more active within and beyond their immediate environment.
Sadly, Dawid passed away on 10 November 2009, nine days after he celebrated his 43rd birthday.
We continue to be inspired by this believe system and continue to enrich the lives of all those affected by cancer which is only enabled by your generous donations.