National Cupcake Day takes place on 27 September at 78 malls nationwide, where cupcakes are offered in exchange for a donation of R10 to R20 to raise funds for children currently fighting cancer, says the organisation.

Leading up to the event, Bryanston High School in Johannesburg and Laerskool Doringkloof Primary in Tshwane have pioneered the 'Bake Box' campaign. The initiative supports CoH's volunteer bakers, known as Cupcake Angels, by collecting essential baking ingredients from learners, families and the community. Donations include flour, oil, cocoa powder and sugar, which are then distributed to Cupcake Angels, empowering them to create sweet treats for a good cause, adds the organisation.

"Two years ago, our grounds manager passed away from cancer, and that had a big impact on the staff," says Eloise van der Merwe, Principal of 'Dories'. "Most people have experience of a loved one with a cancer diagnosis, and to be able to practically assist kids with cancer and their families was something that we immediately wanted to do."

"Cancer is a disease that knows no gender, knows no race, knows no social or financial standing and has no age limits," says Jerome Lawrence, Principal of Bryanston High School. "Diagnosis with this dreaded disease has its obvious physical and emotional challenges but over and above that it can turn a patient's financial world upside down. The Bryanston High family, staff, learners and parents embrace the opportunity to be of any kind of assistance in helping patients."

In 2024, 27 malls in Johannesburg and Tshwane took part in NCD, with more than 800 bakers registered in the Vaal, Johannesburg and Tshwane areas. For 2025, participation has grown, with 24 malls registered in Johannesburg, eight malls confirmed in Tshwane and 79 malls in total across South Africa. Calls for volunteer bakers have gone out nationally, and now, schools in all provinces are being invited to join the 'Bake Box' campaign to assist with ingredients, says the organisation.

"The Cupcake Angels pour not only their hearts and time into this cause, but also the money to purchase their ingredients, which as we all know, are increasingly costly," says Sandy Cipriano, Founder of CoH. "Every donation received for a cupcake helps us support kids and their families on their cancer journeys, and to have children actively participating in this way truly warms our hearts."

"NCD is our most important annual fundraising event and the support via school children will make a real difference to real children in need. In 2024, CoH was able to nationally fulfil 2 568 financial support requests, deliver 3 022 activity care bags to over 21 paediatric oncology wards and celebrate 111 patient birthdays, all via funds raised through cupcake donations," Cipriano adds.

Registration to bake and participate in National Cupcake Day 4 Children with Cancer is open. For schools wishing to participate in 'Bake Box', email [email protected].

For more information, email [email protected]. You can also follow CoH on Facebook or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor