The 12th of May is the day that is chosen to highlight the crucial role of nurses within the healthcare system while also celebrating their contribution.

This year, The Star Foundation, in partnership with Reach For A Dream, will honour International Nurses Day by donating gift baskets to 600 nurses who work in the public hospitals including – Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath and George Mukhari Hospital.

Reach For A Dream is a charitable organization that aims to ease the burden faced by sick children and their families by fulfilling the wishes of children fighting life-threatening illnesses. The nurses who care for these children play a vital role in helping them regain their lost childhood due to illness.

Nurses are in the frontline of combating pandemics and epidemics, providing quality care and treatment to patients. The World Health Organization notes that nurses constitute more than half of the world's healthcare workforce, yet there is a shortage of nurses worldwide, particularly within the public health sector resulting in overworked and underappreciated healthcare workers.

The gift baskets contain a meal voucher for a family of four, chocolates, a certificate and cupcakes to express gratitude and appreciation to the nurses who selflessly care for patients.

To make a donation to Reach For A Dream and help fulfil a child's dream, please click here.