Durban’s warriors fight off health challenges

BEREA’S warriors, Ariella Cocorozis and Robbie Eddles have faced hurdles in their fight against cancer, but remain strong and determined.

In March, Ariella’s parents John and Emelia received the news that Ariella, who has a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) brain tumour, was making good progress.

Following a visit to the neurosurgeon in March, they heard that her tumour had shrunk by 45 per cent. S

was able to place her feet flat on the ground, was chatty, could feed herself with a fork, was supporting herself better in a seated position and was attending Greek school and school lessons accompanied by her day nurse.

Tassie Kougianos, family spokesperson, said she had since had a setback, but was still maintaining her fighting spirit.

“After a difficult time with bronchial-lung issues, Ariella was recently admitted to a paediatric ICU where it was confirmed that there was no longer any infection. Ariella’s parents have strong faith and are ensuring that Ariella continues on her current treatment regimen that has seen her tumour shrink signifcantly. Ariella has playdates and her latest fun activity is to do sticker swap outs for her unicorn sticker album,” said Tassie.

Robbie, a Clifton College learner who has been diagnosed with leukaemia for the third time, travelled to Israel for treatment called CAR-T Therapy, in March.

At Mount Sheba Hospital in Tel Aviv, the T-cells, which are sick and leukaemic, were removed from his body and genetically engineered to become non-leukaemic fighter cells. They were re-introduced to his body on 13 April.

Robbie’s aunt, Kerry Moller, who has been hosting bone marrow donor drives throughout the country to find him a donor match, said Robbie and his mum, Col, had been in Israel for over two months, and that the CAR-T Therapy went well.

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“Robbie did however suffer brutal side-effects of seizures and high temperatures and spent a nerve-wracking week comatose in ICU. Luckily, the whole family was with him all the time and he has recovered remarkably well and is up and about. He had a final bone marrow transplant at the weekend, and then after the results a week later, they can return home. Robbie can’t wait to get home to his friends and family – and his dogs!” she said.

She said while this treatment was not a cure for leukaemia, the hope was that this would buy Robbie time to find a perfect bone marrow donor.

“The next step for Robs will be a bone marrow transplant and our search for the perfect match continues with #Robbieswarrior campaigns continuing to recruit new donors for the South African Bone Marrow Registry all over the country,” said Kerry.

She said contributions were still coming in most notably in Durban from “Robbies Concert” which was held on 14 April, organised by Tamsyn Collison and Durban musician Rowan Stuart.

The Myog to Myog Walk for Life Challenge took place on 30 April and via Backabuddy also raised funds for the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR).

“The SABMR has also received donations from the Durban community and we are so grateful for them all. Robs will need a transplant within the first four to six weeks of returning home, so the search continues,” she said.

She urges all those eligible to visit: www.sabmr.co.za and register to become a donor.

To help with continuing fundraising for Ariella, visit the Facebook page: For the love of Ariella.

To donate on the BackaBuddy page, visit: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/ariella-help-us-beat-dipg.

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