Centurion organisation stands as a safe haven for children with cancer

With the month of September being dedicated to childhood cancer awareness, a non-profit organisation in Centurion is stepping up to support families so that they do have to not face their childhood cancer journey alone.

The presence of CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA in the community has grown steadily since its Centurion house was first established in 2007, meeting a growing need for practical and emotional support for local families.

The organisation’s spokesperson Taryn Seegers explained that communities in and surrounding Pretoria have seen a steady rise in childhood cancer diagnoses.

Families are often forced to travel long distances to treatment centres, facing significant financial and emotional costs.

“The Centurion House was created as a safe haven to ease that burden and to ensure no child or teenager has to face cancer without a strong support network nearby,” she said.

She added that the Centurion branch has focused on holistic support for children and their families from the beginning.

“It offers free accommodation, nutritious meals, transport assistance to and from treatment centres, psychosocial support from professional social workers, and recreational activities that provide moments of relief during long treatment cycles.”

CHOC Centurion also became a pioneer in educational support.

Seegers siad that through collaboration with hospital schools at Chris Hani Baragwanath, Dr George Mukhari, and Steve Biko hospitals, children undergoing treatment can continue their schooling with the help of iPads.

“This project has been crucial in ensuring children do not fall behind academically while receiving long-term treatment, reinforcing hope for their futures.”

Seegers said that the impact of these services is evident in the numbers and the stories of families who have benefited.

“In the past financial year alone, the Centurion House served 1 399 people, provided 1 975 bed-nights, handed out food parcels which reached 8 998 people, and offered transport assistance as well.”

She pointed out that these figures represent more than just statistics, reflecting lives touched and families supported during incredibly difficult times.

Beyond its day-to-day work, the organisation has become an important presence in the community through outreach.

It partners with schools, medical practitioners, and businesses to spread awareness about the early warning signs of childhood cancer.

“Teachers and community leaders are trained to recognise symptoms, while businesses get involved through staff volunteer days, fundraising drives and workplace talks.”

Seegers told Rekord that this month, as part of the international Gold September campaign, the branch is holding outreach events at schools, corporates, and in the wider community.

“We will be distributing information about early warning signs, hosting events to honour survivors and remember children who have passed, and encouraging the public to wear the gold ribbon in solidarity.

“Awareness is so important because the earlier childhood cancer is detected, the better the chances of survival,” she added.

The organisation’s reach is strengthened by donations such as the recent cheque of R220 000 handed over at the Centurion House.

While these funds are earmarked for its national programmes, Seegers noted that they directly support every branch, including Centurion.

She explained that the money will go toward psychosocial support services, parental and family support initiatives, bereavement counselling, accommodation and transport assistance, care bags and nutritional support, and training for educators and healthcare workers, as well as advocacy and lobbying to improve childhood cancer outcomes in South Africa.

Looking to the future, Seegers explained that the Centurion branch aims to expand its support even further and is committed to strengthening both its local services and its contribution to the organisation’s broader national strategy.

According to her, the long-term goals include strengthening core services across the country, developing programmes for survivors, ensuring effective operations, advocating for policy improvements, and expanding both nationally and internationally.

“Our vision is a country where every child and teenager with cancer has equitable access to treatment, care, and hope for the future,” she said.

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