He was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma in October 2014, after a series of CT scans at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg.

Osteogenic sarcoma is a cancer that often starts in the ends of the bones where new bone tissue forms as a young person grows. Bones in the thigh, upper arm, and shin are the most common sites, but osteosarcoma can occur anywhere in the body. In Kyle’s case, it started with a small boil on the lower gum area inside his mouth during December 2013. His parents Ivan and Debra could not afford a private dentist and took their son to a medical clinic in Duduza for X-rays. The X-rays showed little abnormality, yet the boil seemed to worsen over the following months. By June 2014, a growth developed from the boil on Kyle’s lower jaw and he was referred to Pholosong Hospital, where another set of X-rays was taken.

“By August, the growth inside his mouth was as big as a golf ball. It affected his speech and ability to eat,” Debra told HERAUT.

They ended up at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, where a doctor finally confirmed it was a tumour which needed to be removed surgically. He was then referred to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital where he underwent surgery in February. As a result of the cancerous growth, Kyle’s lower jawbone was completely removed and temporarily replaced with a titanium plate. He is now receiving chemo therapy and will have to undergo reconstructive surgery in the near future to repair his lower jaw.
Although Kyle has a positive outlook, the cancer changed his young life completely. Apart from speech impairment, Kyle has missed several months of school as a result of the illness and now because of his treatment in Johannesburg.
His parents (both unemployed) are faced with financial challenges which they are not able to overcome at the moment. Kyle has to follow a specific diet as he is unable to chew solid food. This means his parents have to buy and prepare separate meals for Kyle. Ivan’s car also recently broke down on his way to hospital. In order to ensure Kyle receives the weekly treatment, Ivan has to rely on the generosity of family members. The Segeel family is in desperate need of financial aid.

They have registered a cancer fund for Kyle and are pleading with the community to show their support. For more information, phone Debra on 073 937 2002.