From small wishes to big wins: dignity in the fight against childhood cancer

Rainbows and Smiles was born from a mother’s love and a little boy’s joy. In 2009, after the passing of her son Jed, founder Bonita “Bonnie” Suckling chose to honour his gift-giving spirit by building a community that wraps children with cancer—and their families—in practical help and heartfelt care. Today, alongside director Nadia Lewis and a devoted volunteer network in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Pietermaritzburg and Durban, that community quietly stands in the gap when life gets hardest.

For many of the families they support, the struggle goes beyond treatment. Groceries run short. Transport costs pile up. Parents face the unthinkable choice of staying at a bedside or staying employed. That’s where Rainbows and Smiles moves with tenderness and grit—bringing food parcels, travel support, airtime so a child can hear a parent’s voice from a hospital bed, and moments of light like birthday cakes, small wishes, and the bell-ringing celebrations that mark the end of treatment.

“We know how lonely it feels, and that’s why we show up—not just with what’s needed, but with love.” – Nadia Lewis, Director of Rainbows and Smiles

It’s not only what they do—it’s how they do it. Many on the team have lost a child or walked this road with a survivor. They understand the fear, the fatigue and the heartbreak. And still they show up—hands to hold, tears to wipe, hope to lift.

Hot Cares is humbled to stand beside them. To honour the brave warriors about to ring the bell, we’re covering the gifts and catering to fill that day with joy. And, thanks to the incredible generosity of our listeners, Hot Cares is committing R10,000 every month for the next 12 months to power the everyday work Rainbows and Smiles does so faithfully. Because no child should ever have to fight cancer alone—and with this remarkable team, they don’t.