Elize Joubert
CANSA provides many vital services to cancer patients and loved ones free of charge. This includes our Tele Counselling, offered in 7 languages (now including virtual sessions), support groups (face-to-face, WhatsApp) and Facebook, advocacy services and clinical advice (guidance on how to cope with side effects of cancer, treatment, nutrition, stoma related and pain control).
One of these services is our TLC support service, where we provide emotional and practical support to children / teens affected by cancer, and their loved ones.
We rely on your generosity to keep these services going.
This is Elsa’s story, a young girl, now just 12 years old, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia:
When Elsa was diagnosed, she was treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
She was also a perfect candidate for a bone marrow transplant with her 16-year-old sister as the donor.
The family’s hopes for Elsa’s full recovery ran high.
It was in the TLC rooms that Elsa and her mom were accommodated and cared for during the month of her radiation treatment.
And when the time came for Elsa’s stem cell transplant, generosity through donations meant that CANSA could supply both the donor and the recipient blood transfusion lines.
TLC support for Elsa and her family continued during her isolation period until we could welcome them back to Tygerberg Hospital for monthly check-ups.
Things were going well . . . until Elsa was rushed to hospital after a weekend of loss of appetite and vomiting.
Elsa had relapsed…
Two weeks on antibiotics and more chemotherapy followed. But sadly, the treatment was unsuccessful, resulting in the chilling words that no parent wants to hear, “We are sorry, the treatment has failed. There is nothing more we can do.”
Elsa is now receiving palliative care through our TLC programme at Tygerberg hospital, which aims to give her the highest possible quality of life, for as long as possible.
Anthea Lewis, our TLC Co-ordinator, reports how Elsa still shares her beautiful smile and is always ready to give a hug. The bond that’s grown between the two allows Elsa to ask hard questions of Anthea – like, “Am I also going to die? Because I really miss my friends”.
There’s a precious sisterhood and brotherhood that exists between young children and teenagers fighting cancer. The friends Elsa misses are Marie-Lee and Abranecia, who passed away from cancer.
CANSA TLC staff don’t know how long Elsa has left but are committed to keeping her as comfortable and happy as possible for every moment of that time, as well as giving her family much needed support.
Please consider giving a donation towards the work that CANSA does, keeping young patients comfortable during treatment, providing palliative care, including counselling and support to their loved ones.
Thanks for your ongoing support, which enables us to provide these vital services for free.
May you and your loved ones enjoy a joyful and peaceful festive season.
Warm regards,
Elize Joubert
Chief Executive Officer
