Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust (THCT) is proud to present the World Preemie Festival. This annual event aims to bring awareness and raise funds for technology advancement crucial for the care of premature babies at Tygerberg Hospital. The fundraising festival is hosted in partnership with the Artscape Theatre Centre and the City of Cape Town from 12 – 18 November 2022.

The brand-new line-up of events starts off with the Community Fair and Fun Walk held at the Tygerberg Hospital Grounds and is open for all. This will be followed by the Preemie Ultra Invitational 50km Road Run from Gordon’s Bay to Kleinmond, a comedy show called Reboot your Laughter, a Preemie Ward Visit at Tygerberg Hospital and the Preemie Gala Experience.

Full Festival Programme:

Day 1: 12 Nov              Community Fair and Fun Walk                Tygerberg Hospital grounds

Day 2: 13 Nov              Preemie Ultra 50km Invitational Run        Gordon’s Bay to Kleinmond

Day 3: 16 Nov              Reboot Your Laughter Comedy Show     Artscape Theatre Centre

Day 4: 17 Nov              Preemie Ward Visit (daytime)                 Tygerberg Hospital

Day 5: 18 Nov              Preemie Gala Experience                       Artscape Theatre Centre

The World Preemie Festival programme will be creatively directed by multiple award-winningperformer,writer and THCT Goodwill Ambassador, Quanita Adams.

The festival is a nod to the Resilience and Courage of preemie babies and their families. As the guiding principles, they underscore events such as the Preemie Ultra, a beautiful but gruelling charity run. The Reboot programmes and line-upincludes young, dynamic game-changers who will explore the intersection of Profit+Purpose through talks, song, comedy and dancedelivered with passion through the mechanism of their respective arts.

All events are driven by the purpose of raising the much-needed funds in support of Tygerberg Hospital’s premature babies. THCT is aiming to raise funds and support towards its R10 million equipment project for the Neonatal ICU at Tygerberg Hospital and R5 million towards its support of programmes for Mom and Baby.

FESTIVAL EVENTS

12 NOVEMBER

The community fair takes place on Saturday, 12 November from 08:00. The fun day will include a 5km fun walk inside the Tygerberg Hospital grounds, live music, lucky draws, food stalls and a kid’s zone area. All these activities are open to all members of the public.

13 NOVEMBER

The Preemie Ultra 50km Invitational Charity Run takes place on 13 November at 06:00 from Gordon’s Bay Sports Field to Kleinmond Harbour. Participating marathon athletes will run to highlight the survival rate of premature babies born at Tygerberg Hospital, and raise financial sponsorships to support the survival, health and continued wellness of premature babies. The route is symbolic of the resilience, tenacity and courage of our premature babies. Sponsor a runner via Tygerberg Hospital Children Trust digital media platforms and members of the public have the opportunity to participate by sponsoring a runner.

16 NOVEMBER

Experience comedy with purpose at this year’s Reboot Your Laughter, on the Artscape’s Opera House stage. Join your hosts Quanita Adams and the Grandmaster himself, DJ Ready D as they introduce on stage Yaseen Barnes, Mel Jones, Keenan Cerf, Ambrose Uren and Kate Pinchuck in this theatre-style comedy chat show. See the comedians deliver funny commentary but also taking us behind the laughs discussing social impact through comedy and storytelling.

Food, beverages and good vibes will be available as DJ Ready D leads the after-party in the Chandelier Foyer.

17 NOVEMBER

The Preemie Ward Visit serves to celebrate the work of THCT, and its collaboration with Tygerberg Hospital’s doctors and nurses who work tirelessly and with passionate care to ensure the survival of babies born prematurely at the hospital. THCT also welcomes the first prem baby born on World Prematurity Day (17 November) with a special gift for baby and mom.

18 NOVEMBER

Enjoy an evening of curated culture, entertainment & talks at the Preemie Gala Experience.

Enjoy a 3-course food & beverage selection designed by Chefs Gabi and Clem. Music headlined by Chad Saaiman, DizuPlaatjies and Lynelle Kenned.

A discussion with the theme of “Social Impact, courage and resilience” will be moderated and explored by Quanita Adams (MC), Jason Falken (Trust CEO), Chad Saaiman, with contributions from Youth Capital and Ikasi Creative Media.

Grand Master DJ Ready D will be on the decks for the after party joined by the dancers from the Vouks Foundation.

“Preemie babies are amazing. They are born under such difficulty from themselves, their moms and families. They teach us the true meaning of resilience and courage. It is for this reason that we honour them every year with our World Preemie Festival,” says CEO of the THCT Jason Falken.

“Tygerberg Hospital provides specialist medical care for more than half of the babies and children in the Western Cape, who come almost exclusively from indigent communities. The Hospital also provides medical care for child patients from outlying and rural communities within the Western Cape Metropole and further afield. Annually, approximately 15 000 babies and children are admitted to the ±300 inpatient beds at Tygerberg Hospital. Many of these children remain in hospital for lengthy periods of time,” says City of Cape Town spokesperson LuthandoTyhalibongo.

“We are thankful to the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust for organising the World Preemie Festival which will benefit so many premature babies in our care.” CEO of Tygerberg Hospital, Dr MatodziMukosi.

The Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust would like to thank all the sponsors who support the World Preemie Festival to ensure its success including the City of Cape Town and Artscape Theatre Centre.

Together, we may be United for a Healthy Future.

For more information follow the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust on: www.tygerbergchildren.org.za

Facebook:        @THCTRUST

Twitter: @HospitalTrust

Linkedin:         https://www.linkedin.com/company/tygerberg-hospital-children-s-trust

For media queries contact communities@tygerbergchildren.org.za