Pink Trees for Pauline’s purpose is to create awareness, unite
communities and raise money for those afflicted with cancer
in a uniquely inspired way… by turning towns pink!

OUR STORY

PINK TREES FOR PAULINE was founded in 2012 when one woman’s dream became a larger-than-life project with striking impact. Carol-Ann van Jaarsveld who lost her mother and her grandmother, both named Pauline, to cancer turned this monumental loss into an epic tale of hope, encouragement and belonging. The legacy of these two significant women, first started blossoming in Carol-Ann’s hometown Graaff-Reinet. During October 2012 four thousand trees along the roads were wrapped in pink material to raise funds to help the local cancer patients and to raise cancer awareness and provide hope and inspiration for the ‘Pauline’s in all or our lives. In November 2012 Carol-Ann van Jaarsveld was joined by Adri Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen – a breast cancer survivor and Dr Pam Kerr, an Educational Phycologist – to officially found the non-profit organisation Pink Trees for Pauline. Carol-Ann’s original vision has become the driving force for many people who are wrapping South Africa and Namibia in pink to signify new life during and after cancer.

WHY PINK

To us, pink is a vibrant colour of hope and an expression of the new life which becomes possible through this project. Pink Trees for Pauline is the first cancer fundraising and awareness initiative where funds are allocated to the local cancer patients of a town.

Pink Trees for Pauline stands for all types of cancer.

AIM

The aim of Pink Trees for Pauline is to raise funds to assist all people affected by all cancers. To reflect this symbolically our logo contains all the colours of the rainbow. The project was developed with sustainability in mind so that as many towns / communities as possible, are positively impacted.

Within the first 3 years Pink Trees for Pauline established itself as a major role player amongst cancer organisations in South Africa. The following factors differentiate Pink Trees for Pauline from all other cancer organisations:

Funds raised in a town must be allocated to the cancer community within that town ensuring direct and immediately visible impact.
The appointed committee of each town sees to it that cancer patients and families affected by cancer in their community receive direct benefit from the funds raised i.e. access to treatment.
Pink Trees for Pauline is the only registered cancer organisation in South Africa that focuses purely on fund raising with membership granted by the Cancer Alliance.

CLOSURE

Many people have testified that wrapping a tree had a profound impact on them and gave them closure after losing a loved one to cancer.

Sakkie van Zyl, who lost his mother to Cancer said ‘I wrapped a tree last night, and for the first time since my mother passed away, I feel I have closure.

Riaan Enslin, a cancer patient said ‘Every time I see a pink tree, I know that I am not alone.

REUSE, REDUCE AND RECYCLE

We strongly believe in empowering communities and contributing to a circular economy. The material used to wrap trees is taken down at the end of the project and utilized in various practical ways i.e. donated materials are used by charities to create new products to sell and raise further funds. Community members have worked together on these projects to create hats, handbags, curtains, dresses and even woven bath mats.