TINY Neli Mthembu, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January last year, has reached another milestone since the dreaded disease consumed so much of her life.

Since her parents, Hazel and Sipho Mthembu, appealed to the community to help find a bone marrow donor in September, Neli has gone into remission and celebrated her 5th birthday.

Now the brave little cancer survivor is ready for her first day at at Mount Edgecombe Private School. “She is so excited and wants to wear her uniform every day. It is such a good thing for her. She is no longer sick and stuck in bed and will finally be able to experience something normal. She has spent a lot of time in the hospital for chemotherapy, which has been hard for her,” said Hazel.

While her parents are thrilled to see Neli take on this new chapter in her life, the protective parents are also wrestling with a number of concerns. “Our greatest worry is Neli’s immune system, which puts her at a high risk of infection, but she is in remission and we have been increasing her vitamin intake as well as improving her nutrition, ” added Hazel.

Additionally, fears have also surfaced regarding the other pupils’ acceptance of Neli. Although the chemotherapy treatments have decreased with remission, she will still need treatment and her hair does still fall out on occasion.

“Neli has also never been to créche, so hasn’t had a lot of opportunity to socialise with other children besides her two sisters. The other kids will not only have more physical strength, but will also be more outgoing. But at the same time I also believe that she is ready for the world, and that this disease has made her brave and wise,” said her proud mom.

Despite a massive bone marrow campaign the family has yet to receive news regarding a donor match for the Neli. However, the Mthembus remain optimistic. “We are grateful to all the people who have supported us, even the people who have phoned to say that we are in their prayers. We thought that we were alone, but the emotional support has been amazing. We would not have gotten this far without it, and we are not giving up any time soon,” said Hazel.

Inspired by her daughter’s fighting spirit and the unrelenting support she and her family have received from the community, Hazel hopes to continue educating people about blood and bone marrow donations. “I have become aware that African people fall under the lowest group of donors. I hope to change that through education and awareness. I also want to share with people all of the things I have leaned about dealing with cancer, and to inform them that it is not necessarily a death sentence,” said Hazel.