Cancer has No Season, and No Respect for Times of Joy

Hello

‘When you hear that word . . . ‘cancer’, your whole world changes in a millisecond. But then we were sent a human ‘angel’ from CANSA to support our entire family.’ (Reina – Nicole’s mom)

Every family has their special Christmas traditions. For mom, Reina, and her two daughters, Nicole and Danielle, their only tradition was being together. This will be the second Christmas for Reina and Danielle without their precious Nicole.

I know you’ll understand how hard this huge empty space in their close knit family will be again this Christmas.

Nicole was a vibrant 15 year old schoolgirl – a top five academic achiever and regional sports star, when she had an injury to her ankle.

It seemed like a simple sprain, leading on to tendonitis, until a scan identified a ‘high grade tumour’. The diagnosis was Ewing Sarcoma.

Initially, treatment progress was promising. But the month before Christmas 2016, they were told that it would be safest for Nicole’s leg to be amputated below her knee. Surgery was set for January.

It was during the difficulties of this time that CANSA ‘angel’, Sarah, entered their lives. Because Nicole was so intelligent and intuitive, she could quickly pick up lies and deception. And Sarah’s honesty and in-depth knowledgeable responses to her questions gave Nicole understanding and peace.

The love and care that the family received was described by Reina as ‘overwhelming’ in holding them together.

Six tough months of chemotherapy followed the amputation. Then when the ‘all clear’ was sounded, the family set off on a gifted holiday. But as they arrived at their destination, their ‘balloon of joy’ was burst with the sudden appearance of a lump on Nicole’s forehead.

A scan when they returned home confirmed return of the cancer, with a poor prognosis.

The treatment that followed wasn’t successful, and Nicole passed away peacefully at home 10 months later in February 2019.

Again, the family received special support from another CANSA ‘angel’, Anina, who guided Reina through how to assist Nicole in her final days and hours.

Cancer has no season, and no respect for times of joy like Christmas. And this Christmas, newly diagnosed patients and those in treatment, together their families will need all the help and support they can get.

If you’ve never had the opportunity to be an ‘angel’ in the story of Christmas you can be one now – by clicking here to send another of your compassionate and caring gifts.

Your donation made here will help us to keep ‘angels’ like Sarah and Anina always present for patients and their families living with cancer. Your donation can also provide CANSA care packs.

Many adult patients, and parents of child patients are unable to work during treatment, and can't afford the basic toiletries and other small necessities needed for a hospital stay. Your CANSA care pack will bring some much needed caring comfort, and a little joy.

However your contribution is put to work, your support today will make you an ‘angel’ in someone’s life this Christmas.

Yours sincerely,

Elize Joubert

Chief Executive Officer