CHOC house ready for coming childhood cancer month
“The child and parent/caregiver can stay and be with other families facing similar difficulties.”
The CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation house in Lyttelton is calling on all residents to show their support for the cause.
The house, which provides a temporary home for children with cancer and their parents or caregivers during treatment periods, is located at 185 Monument Drive, Lyttelton, near the Unitas hospital.
The “home away from home” is open to all children who live more than 50km from a treatment centre and is completely free of charge, according to CHOC northern region manager, Ina Schomper.
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“Our house is close to the Steve Biko Academic and Netcare Unitas hospitals where the children receive specialised treatment,” said Schomper.
“The child and parent/caregiver can stay and be with other families facing similar difficulties.
“Transport is provided to and from the hospital at no cost.”
Sadie Cutland and her husband, Julian, founded CHOC after they were in the same position as most of these parents when their daughter was diagnosed with cancer in 1977.
The CHOC initiative was established in 1994.
Their previous house was in Capital Park, but a bigger one was needed and the new house has enough room for eight children, all of whom can be accompanied by a caregiver.
Over R2-million had been invested in the house to make sure it provides the maximum benefit to the children of CHOC.
The initiative also offers a variety of services including raising awareness around childhood cancer, providing support and counselling to parents and siblings and even providing transport where necessary.
“What many people don’t know is that September is international childhood cancer month,” said Schomper.
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“While we wear pink ribbons for breast cancer and orange for leukemia, the gold ribbon is for childhood cancer month.
“We sell the gold ribbons here at the CHOC house and would like to invite each and every resident to come and show their support.”
Those looking to get involved can contact Ina Schomper on 012-323-3490 or 060-420-9217.
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