As a mother who lost her own child to cancer and is now a CANSA TLC Paediatric Oncology Coordinator and Manager, Vera van Dalen meets many children living with cancer.
CANSA TLC Nicus Lodge, established and dedicated to the memory of her son, was born out of Vera’s deepest desire to ensure that no family should be separated during their child’s critical treatment.
In her daily encounters with these young cancer patients, some children stand out more than others for Vera. Wandile, diagnosed at 3 years old, is one of these children.
At the age of 10 years, (after 7 years of coming and going for treatment), Wandile presented Vera with a deeply touching letter and pencil sketch of herself.
Vera describes Wandile as: “A child not defined by what has been taken, but by what remains – an unshaken spirit, a fierce courage, and a tenacity that refuses to bow.
She meets each day head-on, looking life straight in the face with a bravery that inspires everyone around her. She wears her battle scars with quiet pride, looking straight ahead, unafraid.
“Wandile has endured surgeries, treatments, and the loss of an eye leaving a gap which tells the story about that part of her journey.
Today she is not just a survivor – she is a light, a fighter, and a reminder that strength is not measured by perfection, but by perseverance.
“I remain in awe of what these children continue to teach me.”
Vera, as the TLC Coordinator at Nicus Lodge, plays a vital role in providing both practical and emotional support to young patients and their families.
In Wandile’s case, she has been a steady source of encouragement and care, offering comfort to both the child and her mother during their long journey with cancer.
Beyond emotional support, Vera is actively assisting them in exploring medical solutions.
After Wandile’s eye prosthetic didn’t hold, Vera started working to find a way forward with socket reconstruction and a new prosthetic eye.
Her role reflects a blend of compassion, advocacy, and problem‑solving, also made possible by your support and ensures that families’ immediate needs are met and also that their longer‑term challenges are identified and assistance is provided where possible.
Image:CANSA!
These are some of the lives you have touched…Wandile!
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