Memorial fund spreads some cheer on children’s cancer day
Devon Vergne's attitude towards life changed his parents' outlook on life, and now after his death from cancer, they help other young cancer patients to fight their battles with the illness.
The Devon Vergne Memorial Fund benefitted more than 30 patients in a Pretoria hospital children’s oncology wards on International Children’s Cancer Day.
The day is celebrated on February 15, the day after Valentine’s Day, to raise awareness of childhood cancer.
After the tragic loss of their five-year old son to cancer, a Pretoria father and mother, Vernon Vergne and Seonaid Kelly, founded the fund.
They have used the fund to give children’s oncology units a makeover to make them lively for the children and their parents, who often spend days there while receiving treatment.
Kelly said they wanted to leave a legacy behind and make sure Devon’s name lives on forever.
This year they visited the oncology ward in a Pretoria hospital where a playground they donated a while ago will soon be upgraded.
At present the theme is “Africa wild animals”, but the new theme is still a surprise to all.
“I remember with Devon’s treatment how important it was to have an environment that lifts your mood,” said Kelly.
Various fundraisers like golf days and the support of friends enable the fund do its work.
Devon was born in a Pretoria East hospital on September 15, 2000. Kelly said he had a normal and healthy childhood until the summer of 2005 when they took him to hospital after he complained his tummy was sore.
The pain had continued even after his appendix was removed.
Blood tests and a sonar would later reveal the presence of a Wilms tumour in his kidney.
Devon underwent chemo as well as radiation therapy, and was operated on but still lost his battle with cancer on March 27, 2006.
“No matter how professional the doctors and the hospitals were, no matter how many people prayed for Devon, no matter how many tears we shed, he lost his battle with cancer,” said Kelly.
Her outlook on life was changed forever by the illness of her strong and courageous child.
“He was a loving, kind and caring child, and especially considerate of others. He knew right from wrong and the consequences of what you do in life. This is the legacy that I would also like to pass on. He turned so many other individuals into better people,” said Kelly.
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