Parents are raising funds for their superhero

JP Bruwer (5) is fighting cancer like a superhero and his family is gathering donations to help him continue his treatment.

On December 20, 2021, this highly energetic boy, who enjoyed playing cricket and jumping on the trampoline, was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumour, also known as nephroblastoma.

It is one of the most common kinds of paediatric kidney cancer. Wilms’ tumour is a common type of kidney cancer that mostly affects children aged five and under.

Carla, his mother, was interviewed by The RECORD to learn more about his illness and how the community can help.

A life-altering journey

“Every night before we went to bed, JP started moaning about stomach aches. I took him to our family doctor, who checked him and suggested it could be constipation,” Carla explained.

JP’s condition did not improve, and the agony in his stomach became increasingly unbearable. His parents took him to their doctor, who ordered a series of tests and scans on him.

He went for a biopsy on December 15 and was diagnosed with cancer.

“Shortly after the initial diagnoses, JP suddenly collapsed and was unable to stand or walk.”

Following additional investigation, a second tumour was detected growing in his spine, and the pressure from this tumour was paralysing him.

On December 23, JP had an emergency operation to remove the tumour from his spine.

“The operation went well, but JP was admitted to the ICU. My heart stopped for a second since I couldn’t stay with him like I could in the regular wards,” Carla explained.

He made a full recovery and was released on December 27.

“We had Christmas twice as a family so that JP could participate in all of the festivities. He was able to open his gifts when he returned home.

“He needed a wheelchair since he couldn’t walk, but on January 13, the most miraculous thing happened, JP began walking. There are no words to express how much this meant to everyone.”

One day at a time

JP lives in Springs with his parents and elder sister, but since his diagnosis, he has been treated at the Netcare Alberton Hospital. Every week, the family travels to Alberton for his chemotherapy sessions.

“An angel has been sent to us. JP’s doctor, Dr Tanya Schiekerling, is a paediatric oncologist. She has been extremely helpful, caring, and supportive during this entire process. We couldn’t have found a better doctor,” Carla said.

“This sort of cancer is treatable and in most cases, it does not come back,” Carla added.

“Cancer runs in our family, so when I found out my little baby had been diagnosed, I was devastated. Why my child and why cancer?

“I went through a whole process and one thing I can tell you is that my faith was put to the test, but I now have a deeper relationship with God than I have ever had,” Carla stated.

Dr Schiekerling refers to JP as a superhero, which his family believes is an apt description of their son.

He is compassionate, courageous, brave, loving, enthusiastic and really affectionate. His parents described him as having “all the characteristics of a superhero.”

Raising funds

The family has a hospital plan, which has been covering some of the medical costs, but there are a lot of costs which still need to be paid and covered.

“We have a 20% co-payment and due to it being only a hospital plan there is a couple of things not covered.”

A big fund-raiser will be held on May 28 at 19:00 at Hoërskool Dinamika with Afrikaans singer, Liezel Pieters.
This is all to raise funds for JP so that his parents can pay their outstanding medical costs and subsequent costs arising from expenses for his treatment.

“As parents, you want the best for your children and you will go to the end of the earth to help them. This is exactly what we will do and keep doing so that JP can finish his treatment and be healthy again.”

Other ways to help

A website has been designed for JP and it allows people to help him in many ways.

People can just click on the donate button and all donations are of your own free will. Another option on the website is to bid on a signed Lions rugby jersey.

Tickets for the fund-raiser with Liezel Pieters on May 28, which cost R100 per person, are also available to purchase on his page.

Children younger than six years of age can enter free of charge.

“Any donation no matter how big or how small will bring us one step closer to being able to pay for everything,” said the family.

For more information or to donate, click HERE or send an email to admin@jpfundraiser.co.za or contact Johnny on 083 259 5932 or Carla on 081 537 3993.

Follow JP’s journey on Facebook, Jp Cancer Awareness.