LATEST NEWS
World TB day 2014
Monday 24 March 2014 was World TB day. All around the world people showed their support to build awareness around this curable disease. At KIDCRU all staff wore masks to signify the plight against stigmatization and the spread of this disease.
About World TB day:
www.stoptb.org/events/world_tb_day/2014
www.worldtbday.org
www.who.int/campaigns/tb-day/2014/event/en
www.cdc.gov/TB/events/WorldTBDay/default.htm
In the news - World AIDS day opinion piece, Argus Newspaper
KIDCRU director, Prof Mark Cotton was recently interviewed by The Argus newspaper. The piece was placed in the December 1st, 2013 issue. Please click on the link to read more about this.
In Memory of our colleagues and friends
Commemorative plaques in memory of our collegues and friends have been mounted on the wall at the KIDCRU reception area. Below are a few special messages from KIDCRU collegues.
Sabina Martin
Pediatric staff nurse.
Sabina was a dedicated, hardworking, very friendly and compassionate nurse. She was always willing to go the extra mile for her patients and will advocate for their well beeing and best interest at all levels. She was a very good teamplayer and her peers looked up to her for her expertise and helpfulness. Sabina was loved and respected by everybody in KIDCRU and her great sense of humor and caring spirit will be missed by all her colleagues. Sabina Martin (Muller) we salute you! You were a true Florence Nightingale! May your legacy continue to inspire others to do their work with compassion and professionalism. Rest in Peace colleague and friend!
Victoria Funeke Cweya, 09/06/1957 – 06/10/2010
Victoria loved KIDCRU. She loved the patients on the studies and the people she worked with. Working here gave her a sense of purpose and helping a patient work through personal issues made her so happy. Everyone who was present at the 2006 End of Year function will remember how Victoria got up and sang her very own KIDCRU song, which came from her heart. Even though Victoria did not have an easy personal life, she seldom complained and always looked happy. She was indeed a light in the life of many.
Maria Vass
Started working at Kid-Cru 01 October 2011 till 31 July 2012 as an adherence councelor and was a pleasure to work with. She was always willing to help where ever she was needed and was loved by all her patients and collegues. Because of her poor health and after receiving a pacemaker only a few months after starting to work at Kid-Cru, she was informed to stay at home to rest and it was with regret that we were informed of her death in 2012.
Galroy Benjamin
Started working at Kid-Cru 01 June 2004 till 31 August 2007 as an adherence councelor. Galroy was a very friendly, helpful person who was passionate about his work. He was always willing to help where needed and would have gone the extra mile for the patients. As a cab member, he also helped in the community to recruit patients and inform them about the research being done at Kid-Cru.
Hope GO Box Project
The GO Box project is an early childhood development program, piloted at Groote Schuur Hospital, which teaches caregivers to play with and stimulate their children from a very early age, and also provides them with the tools to do so.
• This is not a study, it is a philanthropic project to improve the lives of HIV positive children
• It would be run on Wednesday mornings, completely independently of KIDCRU study visits. Transport will be funded for those who participate
• It is aimed at stimulating early childhood development in HIV positive children (but is equally applicable to all children), by teaching caregivers how to play with and teach their children
• Parents and children would attend once a month, for 10 months
• A box would be given to caregivers at the first visit and would be slowly filled with age appropriate toys and equipment as the visits progress
• Children are normally grouped according to age: 0-2years, 2-5years and 5-8years
This programme has been made available to all KIDCRU children through the help of Dr Susan Purchase and the Hope Project.
This is a wonderful initiative and we would like to thank everyone involved for their input.
Alec Retires!
One of our most trusted and cherished staff members, Mr Alec Abrahams retired this year. Alec has been part of the KIDCRU family as a driver, since 1 August 2003. This means he has seen KIDCRU grow from the start and has been driving our patients to and from the unit for 10 years! There was a small party held to thank Alec for all his hard work and dedication through the years.
KID CRU 10 year Celebration - 20 September 2013
On the 20th of September 2013 KIDCRU had a 10 year celebration in the R4 Lecture Hall, Tygerberg Hospital. Attendees included old staff members, hospital personnel, clinic personnel, members of the community and health departments that are vital to KIDCRU's success.
The speakers included:
Dr S Innes (MC)
Me E Barks-Ruggles - US Consulate General
Prof M Kruger
Prof M Cotton
Dr J Mouton
Prof G Theron
Dr H Rabie
The Community Advisory Board also entertained the crowd with a few songs. We want to thank everyone who made this day possible!
KID CRU turns 10!
This year KIDCRU celebrates 10 years of dedication to research and passion for clinical care. Since the official opening in September 2003, KIDCRU has provided medical assistance to countless children and helped numerous families through counseling or other contributions. Numerous studies have been conducted here the past ten years and we are proud of our accomplishments and contributions to medical research.
To celebrate this, there will be a small event held the 20 of September 2013.
