Cansa’s Nicus lodge still nurturing 12 years on
The lodge provides lodging at the Tshwane District Hospital to the families of children being treated for cancer that had to travel far.
Cansa’s Nicus lodge, which provides lodging at the Tshwane District Hospital to the families of children being treated for cancer that had to travel far, turned 12 this month.
The 90-year-old leading cancer non-profit organisation also said that it was returning to maximum productivity following Covid-19.
The lodge offers accommodation to parents of children that are undergoing treatment in the surrounding, supporting hospitals that struggle with transportation.
The lodge is located inside the Tshwane District Hospital grounds and provides 50 beds among other amenities.
Cansa marketing head Lucy Balona said exciting things were on the horizon for the organisation.
“We are moving from survival mode to thrive mode again which allows us to optimise productivity, return to growth faster and achieve better long-term business performance,” said Balona.
The lodge provides accommodation all year round and most beneficiaries travel from Mpumalanga and other neighbouring countries in Southern Africa.
The lodge first opened on August 3 2010 at Steve Biko.
It was named after a child cancer patient named Nicus van Dalen who passed away without being with family during treatment. The lodge was created to ensure that children need not be away from their families while receiving treatment in Pretoria.
Services include support groups, food parcels, prosthetic support, toiletries, laundry, and en suite accommodation among others.
Pieter Cowdrey, a beneficiary of the Nicus lodge, thanked the lodge.
“They stood by me when I thought the world was ending. I would not have been here today without them.”
The lodge is currently looking for donors for maintenance work that must be done around the premises. Two new geysers are needed as well as entertainment devices for the children being treated in addition to food and toiletry parcels.
“We look forward to the continued support by the public. Anyone keen to be part of our fundraising campaigns or events, please get in touch,” Balona said.
For more info, visit: cansa.org.za/cansas-care-support/cansa-tlc-nicus-lodge/
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