Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 99, October 2017 | Page 21

It is for this reason that the Tuks Student Surgical Society places emphasis on community outreach and upliftment programmes, such as the Annual Scrub Run. As Marilize Kleynhans, the project lead, says, “Medical school is not only improving our medical skills, but it is also developing our way of caring for those in need.” For the Kids Surgeons for Little Lives is run by a small group of Paediatric Surgeons and ordinary people who are passionate about uplifting the lives of less fortunate children needing life-changing surgery. It was started with the overriding objective of raising the level of care given to patients in the Paediatric Surgery wards in Gauteng state hospitals to world class standards. The current chairman is Professor Jerome Loveland, who is the Head of Paediatric Surgery at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and The University of the Witwatersrand. South Africa’s health system remains under significant strain, while the level of care deteriorates due to budget constraints and infrastructural challenges. TSSS aims to overcome some of these barriers and constraints by raising funds that will directly contribute to elevate the level of care provided. Through this event, in excess of R15,000 was raised and donated to Surgeons for Little Lives. We would also like to thank Discovery who contributed significantly to the project by assisting with donations and keeping our runners well-nourished and hydrated. For more information or to donate please visit www.surgeonsforlittlelives.org or www.tsss.org.za. 21