A Sheffield Beach father is appealing for help after a Stage 4 oesophageal cancer diagnosis left him facing overwhelming treatment costs.

Shaun van Heusden, who has run Lighthouse Aftercare at Umhlali Preparatory School for nearly two decades, is facing the high cost of urgent treatment after his medical insurance last week declined to pay for his care due to technicalities.

The 47-year-old has run the aftercare for the past 18 years, after leaving Johannesburg following a robbery at gunpoint.

Reflecting on the diagnosis, he said his world came crashing down. His greatest concern is his family, wife Teresa, sons Ethan (18) and Reece (14), and his mother, Gail.

“The sound of my family crying when I told them the news is something I will never forget, it was heartbreaking.”

After learning that chemotherapy, radiation and surgery would come with overwhelming costs, and without medical aid, Shaun said he had little choice but to set up a BackaBuddy campaign to raise funds.

He said further expenses include blood tests, biopsies, CT scans and consultations, while chemotherapy alone costs about R58 000 per month for 10 months.

“I need to be as positive as I can for them. I need to fight for my family!”

His condition has left him unable to eat, drink or take medication and he requires intravenous rehydration therapy, which lasts only about 24 hours.

“I am so thirsty, but I cannot keep down my liquid food, it just comes straight back up.”

Shaun has started the process of entering the public healthcare system, but treatment delays remain a concern.

“The costs of trying to get better are exorbitant,” he said.

“I never imagined I would find myself asking family, friends or strangers for help in this way.

To donate towards Shaun’s medical costs, visit backabuddy.co.za/campaign/shauns-oncology-treatment.