JP Bruwer (10), from Springs, is one of three Cupcake Heroes whose story inspires awareness for the organisation Cupcakes of Hope.

JP’s mother, Carla Bruwer, is working with Leandri van Zijl and Karin Stevenson this year to make a success of National Cupcake Day, as their fundraising drive is hosted at Mall@Carnival in Brakpan.

JP was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the age of five after complaining of severe stomach pains. Initially, his doctor said he was likely just constipated, but after a week of going back to the doctor repeatedly, his parents decided to take him to the hospital.

Here, he underwent further testing, along with a sonar and CT scan, which revealed a mass on his kidney. He was referred to Netcare Clinton Hospital, now Netcare Alberton Hospital, where a biopsy was performed.

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Shortly after the biopsy, JP was unable to walk or feel his legs, and it was discovered that the cancer had spread to his spine and was compressing his spinal cord.

An emergency operation was performed to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord, and by the following February, his affected kidney was also removed, as it was completely enveloped by the cancer.

After the surgeries, he underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and by April, he was regaining sensation and mobility in his legs.

“If you could see him today, you’d never think that he went through something like this. Last year, he had to go back for a second spinal surgery as the vertebra that was affected by the cancer had died and needed to be removed and replaced with an artificial one,” said Carla.

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He also had to receive a spinal fusion to stabilise the area, but at present, he has been in remission for four years, recently celebrating with fellow Cupcake Hero Lieben van Zijl, who is three years in remission.

“Occasionally, he still has pain in his back, but you can’t even tell that anything was ever wrong with JP,” Carla said.

In light of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the three oncology mothers running the Mall@Carnival campaign for Cupcake Day want to share their children’s stories, as one thing remains true in all of them: early detection is life-saving.

While Lieben and JP are in remission, Karin’s daughter, Delarize, succumbed to the disease, and the mothers believe earlier detection could have made a difference.