Cansa celebrates young cancer survivors for Youth Month
As of 2022/2023, Cansa TLC has supported 7 847 diagnosed children/teens and their loved ones.
As part of International Cancer Survivors’ Month, Cansa is taking the time to commemorate its younger survivor children and their families.
The focus on children, teens, young adults and parents/guardians also forms part of the NGO’s Youth Month commemorations.
“Receiving a diagnosis as an adult is difficult but even more so when it’s a child or teenager and it is especially hard on parents of paediatric patients,” said Lucy Balona of Cansa.
Anina Meiring, Cansa national manager of Childhood Cancer Services said that it’s important for oncology parents and paediatric patients to enjoy, relax and unwind with friends and family.
“Our Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) support is practical in nature, and we collaborate with paediatric oncologists and oncology ward staff to cater to young patients’ needs as they arise,” Meiring stated.
TLC is aimed specifically at the needs of adolescent/young adult cancer patients from 13 to 25 years.
CANSA INITIATIVE DOES IMPORTANT WORK
As of 2022/2023, TLC has supported 7 847 diagnosed children/teens and their loved ones through food parcels, toiletry packs, counselling and accommodation for paediatric patients receiving treatment far from home and their parents.
Cansa has the TLC Nicus Lodge at the Steve Biko academic hospital, Family Lodge (Durban) and paediatric oncology ward in the Pietersburg provincial hospital in Limpopo.
Thandi, a mother of a 14-year-old girl living at Nicus Lodge said she’s grateful for Cansa’s efforts.
“The lodge means so much to me because it is close to the ward (Steve Biko academic hospital). As a parent, I don’t have so much stress and I get a place to sleep, food parcels and toiletries. It is all a lot to me. Without the lodge, I would be sleeping under the bridge. Thank you,” Thandi remarked.
Other young cancer survivors also expressed gratitude for the TLC support:
– Agrippa Ngobeni (diagnosed Gr.10): “I never thought I’d live past 18, now I am 25! It seems as if I have much more life ahead than I thought possible.”
– Fortune Manama (13 yrs at diagnosis and now university): “Seeing so many of my ward friends pass away, I know I owe it to them to live my life to the fullest every day!”
– Modiphonso Maema (17 yrs, excerpt from her poem ‘I Refuse’): “I refuse to give away my will for life… I refuse to let life pass me by… I refuse to let my dream slip…my existence matters… I refuse to lose hope, to give up!”
For more information visit www.cansa.org.za or email info@cansa.org.za.
ALSO READ: Queenswood girl (10) with cancer needs community’s help
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