International Nurses Day, celebrated annually on 12 May, is a moment to recognise the compassion, dedication and skill of nurses across the globe. This year, Reach For A Dream proudly honours more than 800 nurses from partner hospitals across South Africa who help make dreams come true for children living with life-threatening illnesses.

For over 36 years, Reach For A Dream has been dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of children across the country. Many of these dreams come to life in hospital wards, where nurses stand as pillars of strength, care and kindness. They are often the first to identify a child in need, lift spirits on difficult days and ensure every detail is in place for a magical dream experience.

“As we celebrate Nurses Day, we pay tribute to the incredible nurses across the country who help make many of our children’s dreams possible. These unsung heroes care deeply for our dreamers because dreams matter to them. We salute their compassion, empathy and commitment,” says Julia Sotirianakos, CEO of Reach For A Dream.

To express our deepest gratitude, Reach For A Dream is gifting each of the 800 nurses a certificate of appreciation, a delicious Krispy Kreme doughnut and a BioNike care package sponsored by the Dis-Chem Foundation. It is a simple but sincere way of saying thank you to those who give so much of themselves to the wellbeing of others.

The 2025 International Nurses Day theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies,” is a powerful reminder of just how critical it is to protect and invest in the health and wellness of our nursing workforce. A healthy, supported nurse not only delivers high-quality care but also contributes to the resilience of healthcare systems across the globe.

“Nurses Day means a lot to me, it means celebrating our dedication, passion, commitment and love. You need to have the heart to work with paediatric oncology patients because the diagnosis also affects the parents of the patients as well as their communities. Being a nurse is a calling, it needs you to commit yourself to helping people,” said Hermina Modisa, Operational Manager of the Paediatric Oncology Ward at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Reach For A Dream stands in awe of the dedication and selflessness of nurses. Their daily acts of care create ripples of hope for children facing some of life’s toughest battles. On this day and every day, we thank them for the compassion they bring into hospital rooms and the courage they help inspire in the hearts of young dreamers.

Because dreams matter. And so do the nurses who help make them come true.