Refilwe ‘Fifi’ Sedumedi knows first-hand what a cancer diagnosis can mean for a person and their family.

After experiencing the illness herself, she decided to use what she had learnt to support others facing the disease, leading to the establishment of the Sedumedi Hope Foundation, which recently celebrated 10 years.

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Having experienced the uncertainty, emotional struggles and challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, Sedumedi understood that patients needed more than medical treatment. They also needed encouragement, emotional support and someone to remind them that they were not alone. Her experience also made her aware of the difficulties faced by people in disadvantaged communities. “I wanted to turn my pain into purpose and my experience into something meaningful. That is how Sedumedi Hope Foundation came into existence,” she said.

Reaching the 10-year milestone has given Sedumedi an opportunity to reflect on the foundation’s journey, the people it has supported and the challenges overcome along the way. “There have been challenges, sacrifices, tears and moments when the journey was not easy. However, through it all, God has remained faithful.”

Over the past decade, the foundation has supported cancer patients through hospital visits, motivational talks and care packages containing food, hygiene and nutritional supplies. Its work has also included breast cancer awareness campaigns, educational workshops at schools, early detection campaigns and community wellness walks.

The foundation has extended its outreach to children receiving cancer treatment in hospitals through Easter and Christmas programmes. Other initiatives include sanitary pad drives for underprivileged schoolgirls, donations to elderly people and winter blanket drives.

For Sedumedi, some of the most memorable moments have been visiting children in hospitals and seeing how small acts of kindness can make a difference to someone going through a difficult time. She said a listening ear, a prayer or a few words of encouragement could bring comfort to patients who needed to know that someone cared. “Sometimes people do not need grand gestures; they simply need to know that they are loved, remembered and supported.”

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Looking ahead, Sedumedi hopes to expand the foundation’s reach across South Africa and beyond. Her plans include strengthening partnerships, attracting more sponsors and donors, and expanding hospital outreach programmes. One of her biggest dreams is to establish a home for cancer survivors, while also creating more sustainable support initiatives for patients and their families. She also hopes to encourage more survivors to become ambassadors of hope by sharing their experiences with others facing similar challenges.

Reflecting on what the past decade has taught her, Sedumedi said her experience had shown her that difficult circumstances could give rise to something meaningful. “My cancer journey was not the end of my story; it became the beginning of a greater purpose.”

She thanked the donors, sponsors, volunteers, partners and community members who had supported the foundation over the years.

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