Foundation starts campaign to help a brave mom fight cancer and care for her boy
Due to the mother's cancer diagnosis, her 11-year-old son assists with tasks like dressing her and preparing meals, which has taken a toll on his mental health.
Noordwyk foundation, the Brian Molapisane Foundation, has started a campaign to raise funds and help a local brave mom fight cancer and care for her boy.
Imagine living in constant pain, losing your ability to work, and watching your young child become your caregiver – all while trying to stay strong. This is the heartbreaking reality of a mother from Noordwyk, who is battling multiple myeloma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
The illness has spread to her spine, pelvis, skull, and ribs, making even the simplest tasks – walking, sitting, and dressing – impossible without assistance.
In 2024, she was diagnosed and immediately began chemotherapy. Sadly, during treatment, she developed another cancer, called plasmacytoma, requiring urgent radiation. Despite over 35 radiation sessions and strong pain management (morphine, tramadol, and ibuprofen), her condition has worsened. She now lives in 24-hour pain and can no longer work.
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What makes things worse, is that she is a highly qualified professional with experience as an executive assistant and project manager. She holds certificates in event management, business writing, and project management, but today, she is unable to earn a living.
Out of desperation, she is even considering driving e-hailing vehicles, although her health and condition make that nearly impossible. Her 11-year-old son, still in Grade 5, has become her primary helper – preparing meals, assisting with daily care, and trying to cope with the emotional toll. As a result, he has started showing signs of depression and behavioural issues, both at home and school.
That was when the foundation stepped in. Through its outreach programme, Protect a Boy Child, the foundation visits schools around Midrand to engage with young boys and offer emotional support.
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During one of these impactful visits, the foundation met the 11-year-old boy, who later shared the challenges he faced at home. This connection led the foundation to reach out to his mother, uncovering these serious difficulties she was experiencing.
Brian Molapisane, the foundation’s founder, said when the boy joined the programme, they were simply doing what they love, which is mentoring the youth and walking with them. “But as we tried to understand him better, we reached out to the mother. That’s when we discovered something deeper, she’s currently battling multiple myeloma. Despite being declared medically unfit to work, she is still searching for employment to care for her sons and herself.”
He shared that, during their conversation, the mother disclosed that the 11-year-old boy is assisting her.
“I don’t have any form of support, except for my boys, 11 years and 28 years,” the mother told Molapisane, “but the youngest is the one who assists the most with dressing and preparing meals. This has been traumatic on him, causing him depression and behaviour issues. The biggest challenge is the financial and emotional impact this has had on me and the children.’
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Funds raised will directly address medical costs, daily essentials, support for the boy, and the necessary setup for remote work.
Those who would like to reach out to the family can contact Brian Molapisane on 081 250 8505 or donate to the campaign: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/help-a-brave-mom-fight-cancer-care-for-her-boy
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