Cansa’s TLC programme helps families face childhood cancer

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) continues to provide comprehensive support for young patients and families.

From treatment devices and accommodation during treatment to adolescent-friendly rooms, palliative care and community education, Cansa’s Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) programme helps children, young people and families cope with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“Cansa recognises that when a child, adolescent or young adult is diagnosed with cancer, the impact is felt within the family and community,” said Cansa childhood cancer service manager Anina Meiring.

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Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) programme

“Our role is to practically support the patient and family, providing human connection and dignity from diagnosis through treatment.”

Meiring explained that the TLC programme is family-centred, combining practical assistance, age-appropriate support spaces, emotional and nutritional support, and accommodation close to treatment centres.

“It draws hospitals, schools, volunteers, donors and community organisations into a broader circle of support around each family.”

Practical interventions designed to ease treatment and reduce anxiety are made possible.

In the past financial year, this included providing 56 implanted chemotherapy ports, 13 venous catheters, 352 needles, 318 dressings and nine mobility aids (wheelchairs/strollers); 52 bone needle soft lines; emotionally supporting 166 teens / young adults; providing specialised nutrition to 58 children; food support intervention to 228 recipients; and assisting 38 children with end-of-life care.

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Cancer treatment

Cancer treatment often takes families far from home and creates unexpected financial, emotional and practical pressures.

Cansa TLC eases these demands by providing free accommodation near treatment centres, including meals, food parcels, toiletries and other essentials, as well as counselling for parents, caregivers and siblings.

Cansa TLC works alongside healthcare teams to support paediatric oncology wards, help families navigate treatment and extend palliative care beyond the hospital environment.

TLC conducted 1 852 ward-round events, visiting 468 young patients.

Community education plays an important role in helping families and educators recognise possible warning signs of childhood cancer.

Cansa piloted its First Line of Defence game to increase awareness at Kabega Primary School in Gqeberha, training 10 volunteers and reaching 250 learners and 21 educators.

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TLC further held 25 awareness events that reached 1 428 people, while bereavement support training was given to 18 volunteers, strengthening communities’ ability to support grieving families.

“When communities understand the warning signs and know how to respond, they become part of the support system,” said Meiring.

Collaboration between Cansa, healthcare institutions, volunteers, donors, schools, businesses, community organisations and specialist partners is vital to the TLC programme’s success.

Partnerships with DKMS, ALSAC and Know the Glow also extend TLC’s reach through donor awareness, professional learning and resources.

Contributions of time, skills, goods and services help keep support available throughout the year.

Wacky Wardrobe Challenge

This September, Cansa invites community members to take part in its Wacky Wardrobe Challenge by wearing their wildest, mismatched outfits to spark awareness of childhood cancer and TLC’s services.

Participants pay a minimum donation of R10 on Quicket, take a photo of their wacky outfit, share this alongside a copy-and-paste message on social media, and tag Cansa.

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They can challenge others to join in and support Cansa TLC.

Meiring said it is not possible to separate emotional and practical support, describing how one family received a wheelchair after a child underwent multiple amputations, together with emotional support, food parcels and love.

“Other mothers said how important it was to bring younger siblings along while caring for their child with cancer.

“Teens and young adults experience profound isolation when treatment separates them from their homes, friends, teachers and studies.

“For families facing the unimaginable, being able to remain together makes an enormous difference,” said Meiring.

She added, “Our responsibility is to recognise the young patient as a whole, supporting their family and community, standing beside them.”