Can you imagine the power
of a single word!

Sometimes one word can make all the difference.

That word, for cancer patients and their loved ones is a small word, but it has
a huge influence – it’s HOPE.

49-year-old Ingrid Rabie is someone 

who understands the true value of hope.

In 2019 Ingrid consulted with her GP and was misdiagnosed.  Then came the interruption of Covid.  And only in late 2023 was Ingrid correctly diagnosed with colon cancer.

 

Ingrid says, “Even though the possibility

had been in the back of my mind, I was in

shock – because nobody wants to hear the 

C word.”

 

For Ingrid, or anyone else living with cancer, the journey can be likened to the weaving of a fabric.

 

Every woven fabric consists of two layers: the warp: the long strong threads that form the basis and length of the weaving; and the weft: the shorter threads that criss-cross the warp and create the width, the colours and the pattern.

 

In Ingrid’s pattern, there were the dark threads starting with the shock of the diagnosis; the late identification of the cancer at stage 3; and the initial fear that comes with hearing the word ‘cancer’.

Then add not having a medical aid to help with the cost of treatment; and a post-operative infection that led to another operation and two stoma bags.

 

But there were also some lighter threads: starting with Ingrid’s husband who insisted on getting her into treatment no matter what the cost.

 

Following on was the professional and caring hospital treatment she received during the scans, the biopsy, the quickly arranged robotic surgery; the good days; and the love, compassion and encouragement she received.

 

Underneath all the experiences that
created Ingrid’s weft threads, the
strong warp threads were holding
everything together. And we’re going
to give those threads another name: HOPE.
 
 

Hope was in Ingrid’s heart in her determination to live. And uppermost was the hope that she would one day run around with her future grandchildren.

 

However, hope can be a fragile thing,
and Ingrid’s hope was bolstered daily
by the support she received. Support,
not just from those closest to her, but
importantly from our Support Groups.
CANSA recognises the value of Support Groups for cancer survivors, caregivers and loved ones.
 
And we offer them the opportunity to become part of a caring community when they join their local CANSA Support Group, or any of our several Online Support Groups, which are all listed on our website.
 
 
And we can’t thank you enough for this very special contribution that you make to keep hope alive. A contribution that tells cancer patients that they’re not alone, allows the sharing of problems and solutions, and above all gives access to HOPE.
 
It’s a contribution so important that we’re hoping
you’ll make it again – by clicking here to make
 
The last word comes from Ingrid herself: “Besides everyone else who has held me up, I’d like to thank the Support Groups for cancer patients, and those who donate to CANSA, because without them I wouldn’t be able to celebrate life today”.
 

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