Life changed forever for Lesedi Ahitlhile when he was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer at just two and a half years old.

The cancer had already spread to his lungs, and what followed was a parent’s worst nightmare: A year of intensive chemotherapy and radiation at the Donald Gordon Medical Centre.

According to his father, Tsholofelo, the treatments brought further complications. The Radiation triggered epilepsy, and when initial chemotherapy failed to shrink the tumour, doctors resorted to adult-level chemotherapy. Surgery to remove his kidney was difficult, and Lesedi struggled to recover, requiring emergency intervention.

Only highly specialised professors were able to treat him, charging 300% of the medical aid rate, while insurance covered only 100%. The family had to pay the remaining costs. His mother resigned from her job to care for him, leaving them a single-income household facing mounting medical bills.

The situation worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic when Tsholofelo lost his job. His wife at the time eventually found work again, but became the sole provider on a basic salary while debts and loans accumulated. The family lost their car and now face court action over more than R140 000 owed to the municipality. Their water has been restricted and their electricity cut off, despite repeated attempts to obtain indigent status.

Tsholofelo has since found new employment, but earns only a quarter of his previous salary. The family still struggles daily to provide for their two children. While Lesedi survived cancer, they now face a different battle: Crippling financial hardship and the challenge of ensuring their six-year-old receives ongoing treatment while maintaining a stable home.

Friends and relatives have stepped in where possible, and the family is appealing to the community for support through their Back-a-Buddy campaign: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/help-for-lesedi-family

“Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to seeing the light again,” Tsholofelo said.