SEPTEMBER shines the spotlight on international Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to raise awareness about childhood cancer, its warning signs and the support available to affected children and their families. 

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One of the biggest support structures for this is the Childhood Cancer Foundation SA (Choc). The parent-founded organisation has been supporting families affected by childhood cancer for the past 47 years. 

Vanishree Archary, Choc’s KZN regional chairperson, said that the organisation’s role focuses on more than medical treatment for the child. 

“Our main aim is to provide practical, emotional and psychosocial support throughout the entire journey, from diagnosis and treatment to remission, and, where treatment is no longer successful, compassionate end-of-life and bereavement support. Choc is like an umbrella over a child and family during the storm of a childhood cancer diagnosis,” she said. 

While medical teams concentrate on treating the child, CHOC helps families manage many of the challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis. Its services include accommodation close to treatment centres, transport assistance, care bags, nutritional support, counselling and parent-to-parent support.

A personal meaning

For Archary, being a part of Choc stems from her own experience with childhood cancer. She said her journey with Choc started as a volunteer in 2010.

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“These roles give me the opportunity to support Chocs work at both regional and national level, but my purpose remains deeply personal: to help ensure that children diagnosed with cancer, and their families, do not have to face the journey alone,” she said.

Spreading awareness 

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month also serves as a time that parents, caregivers, teachers and communities can familiarise themselves with the potential warning signs of childhood cancer.

“Many childhood cancer symptoms may initially resemble common childhood illnesses,” said Archary. 

The month is not only about education, it’s also to recognise children undergoing treatment and remembering those who are no more, while also supporting the families, healthcare professionals and volunteers who assist. 

Play your part 

Community members are urged to support Choc during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month through its Have a Heart for Children with Cancer campaign.

Archary said the campaign invites schools, businesses and individuals to purchase a gold beaded ribbon or gold heart for R25. Gold is the internationally recognised colour for childhood cancer awareness.

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“The public can support Choc throughout the year by making financial or in-kind donations, volunteering, participating in fundraising events and sharing information about the early warning signs of childhood cancer,” she said. 

Living out her son’s legacy

For Archary, supporting Choc is also a way of keeping her first-born son’s memory alive.

Choc hosts an annual walk up Sani Pass, an event that has become a treasured tradition for the Archary family. In 2010, Archary and her family participated in the first Sani Pass journey with her first-born son, Sayurin Archary, who died in October that year.

Since then, the journey has become a way for the family to raise funds and awareness for Choc while remembering Sayurin.

Archary’s 13-year-old son, Kuvar, completed his first Sani Pass summit this year.

“Seeing him reach the top reminded me that my children carry not only our strength, but also the love and legacy of the brother who came before them, she said.

Contact:

Archary hopes Childhood Cancer Awareness Month will remind affected families that support is available. Families affected by childhood cancer in the Durban South can reach out to Choc at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital. For more information or assistance, CHOC KZN can be contacted on 031 240 2917.

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