A Ratanda mother of two is appealing to the community for support as she battles Stage 4 Mycosis Fungoides, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that has left her unable to work and struggling to meet the growing costs of treatment while caring for her two young sons.

Patience Dibate (33) has launched a BackaBuddy fundraising campaign, One Step to Healing, to help cover the costs of specialist medical treatment, medication, wound-care supplies, transport to and from hospital appointments, nutritious food and essential household expenses.

Dibate said her health battle began almost four years ago when she developed persistent skin problems that were initially treated as eczema and later psoriasis.

Despite numerous consultations with doctors and dermatologists, as well as several biopsies, her condition continued to deteriorate without a definitive diagnosis.

“Every doctor’s visit gave me hope that I would finally know what was wrong, but my condition kept getting worse. Eventually I ran out of money to continue investigating and simply tried to manage the illness while doing everything I could to support my children.

“Looking back now, I realise my body was fighting something much more serious than any of us knew. Before cancer, I was focused on finding permanent employment and building a better future for my two boys. Today my life revolves around hospital visits, treatment and dressing painful wounds.

“Cancer has taken away my health, my independence and my ability to earn a living, but it has not taken away my determination to keep fighting,” she said.

Dibate said after further tests and biopsies, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Mycosis Fungoides on April 4.

“The disease has caused painful tumours on my scalp that have ulcerated into open wounds requiring daily dressing changes.

“My sister now assists with wound care because the affected areas are impossible for her to reach on her own. I’m currently receiving specialist treatment at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and I recently underwent a bone marrow biopsy.

“I’m still awaiting the results, which will determine the next stage of my treatment. The illness has forced me to stop working in 2024, when I was employed as an insurance claims handler in Boksburg. I now survive by taking on various odd jobs, including transport services, helping people move house, sourcing stock for small businesses, facilitating vehicle sales and refurbishing household items for resale,” she said.

Dibate said as her condition progressed, she is no longer physically able to continue working.

“Every dressing change, every trip to Johannesburg, every prescription and every follow-up appointment comes at a cost. When you are too sick to work, those expenses quickly become overwhelming.

“There are days when I worry about how I will get to my next appointment or afford the supplies I need. If you ask me why I keep fighting, the answer will always be my boys because they deserve to have their mother in their lives. Whenever I feel exhausted or afraid, I think about the memories we still have to make together: birthdays, school achievements and all the ordinary moments that become so precious when your future is uncertain. They remind me every day that giving up is not an option,” she said.

The BackaBuddy campaign aims to raise funds for her ongoing treatment and recovery, including transport to hospital, medication, wound-care supplies, nutritious meals and other essential living costs while she remains unable to work.

“I have always believed in standing on my own feet, but cancer has placed me in a position where I cannot do this alone. If my story touches someone’s heart, I ask them to help in whatever way they can. Whether it’s a donation, sharing my campaign or simply keeping my family in their prayers, every act of kindness gives me hope. What may seem like a small contribution to someone else could mean another hospital visit, another treatment and another chance for me to continue fighting,” she said.

Members of the public who wish to support Dibate can do so through her BackaBuddy campaign, One Step to Healing.