TZANEEN – For 34-year-old Dezrae Raath, a mother of four from Tzaneen, life changed drastically when a lump in her breast turned out to be cancer.

What began a few months ago as what she thought was a blocked milk duct soon developed into a sore, growing mass. Encouraged by her mother, Raath visited Dr Anika Grond at Spies and Partners, who referred her to a specialist for a sonar. The results were worrying enough to require a biopsy.

Without medical aid to cover sonars, scans, or biopsies, Raath’s family pooled their resources to fund the procedure. Days later, she and her sister, Yolanda du Toit, sat in the consulting room as the doctor delivered the news they had feared; Raath had an aggressive form of breast cancer, known as triple-negative carcinoma.

“It hit harder than we could ever have imagined,” Du Toit said. “The doctor was incredibly compassionate, but nothing can prepare you for that kind of news.”

Triple-negative breast cancer is considered one of the more aggressive forms, as it tends to grow and spread quickly. In Raath’s case, doctors also discovered a small spot on her lung, which will be treated alongside the primary tumour.

Raath has been scheduled for eight chemotherapy sessions, beginning on September 22. Each session costs around R10 000. The treatment will be followed by a mastectomy and then radiation therapy.

Despite the challenges, Du Toit says her sister has remained remarkably positive. “She wakes up every morning, smiling, believing in the doctors’ plan. She’s fighting with everything she has because she wants to see her children grow up,” Du Toit explained.

Raath is raising four children: a 14-year-old, a 10-year-old, a 7-year-old, and her youngest, who is just eight months old. According to Du Toit, her sister’s motivation comes from her role as a mother.

“She is the best mom and the strongest woman I know. Honestly, I don’t think I could handle it the way she does, but she’s determined to carry on for her children.”

The family is rallying around Raath, but the costs of treatment are overwhelming. Without medical aid, every scan, biopsy, and chemotherapy session comes at a significant financial burden.

Still, Du Toit believes that their close-knit family will help see Raath through. “We pray, we believe, and we know that together, with support, we will reach the finish line,” she said.

Du Toit has opened a BackaBuddy campaign to raise money for her sister’s sessions. Raath’s journey has become a testament to resilience in the face of adversity, reminding those around her of the strength a mother will summon when fighting for her children’s future.