September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, but CANSA TLC (Tough Living with Cancer) staff raise awareness, and support children, teens, young adults and loved ones, throughout the year, for free.
CANSA TLC staff help our youngest members of society and their parents / guardians and siblings, to cope with their cancer diagnosis and treatment at our CANSA TLC Facilities where parents / guardians may stay with their child during treatment.
CANSA TLC also provides services or items necessary to facilitate treatment at various oncology wards and offers online support through the CANSA Free2Bme Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) site.
Youth and young adults whose parents have been diagnosed and siblings of youth and young adults that have been diagnosed are also supported through our TLC services.
CANSA TLC helps educate communities about the symptoms of childhood cancer, and the symptoms of teen and young adult cancers to enable early detection and timeous treatment.
Through its TLC Programme, CANSA provides medical devices, comfort aids and nutritional support to children and teens nationwide – reaching pediatric oncology units from Tshwane to Cape Town, Kimberley to Gqeberha, and Johannesburg to Polokwane.
In the past year alone, CANSA TLC delivered 63 ports to spare children repeated needle pricks; over 1 800 protective dressings to guard against infection; 15 wheelchairs and strollers, giving mobility to children weakened by treatment and 223 nutritional support packs, helping children stay strong through chemotherapy and radiation.
A port (or port-a-cath) is a small device implanted under the skin and connected to a vein. It allows doctors to safely administer chemotherapy, fluids, or medicines, and to draw blood repeatedly – all with less pain and stress for young patients. In South Africa, the cost of a port is about R4500, while a paediatric nutrition package costs R350.
These are not luxuries – they are essentials that mean a child can endure their treatment with less trauma and more dignity. Without this kind of support, families face an even tougher experience with childhood cancer.
“As a mother of a child who received a port through CANSA’s support, I can say it’s life-changing,” shares one parent supported by CANSA TLC. “My child no longer cries at every needle prick. That kind of relief cannot be measured in rands and cents.”
Behind much of this impact are supporters like the Vlok family, who despite now living in the United States, remain deeply rooted in South Africa. For 13 years, they have run their September fundraiser ‘Help Towards Hope’, raising over R4,5 million since 2013 – including more than R550 000 in 2024 alone.
Their commitment ensures that funds are raised to provide children with ports, prosthetic eyes, mobility aids and nutrition packs – things that directly change lives.
