Can you imagine?
With Christmas coming, it’s almost impossible to imagine . . .
. . . the idea that top of a child’s gift wish
list might be a Broviac (an underskin
port that allows for painless and
immediate access to the bloodstream).
But this could well be the wish for any child undergoing cancer treatment. Treatment that’s filled with needles, from finger pricks to finding veins for blood tests or medication infusions.
Even adults have difficulty with needles.
But just the sight of another needle can
become a huge issue of stress and trauma
for young children. Often, resisting with
hysterical kicking and screaming means
that the child has to be held down for
the needle to be inserted.
This isn’t good for anyone, especially when there’s something that will take away all that stress and trauma – the Broviac.
Little Donovan Wolmarans was one of these children.
Previously a healthy and happy child, during his first month in Grade R, Donovan started to complain about sore legs and have trouble walking.
The pain increased, and no everyday remedies helped.
Bruises kept appearing, and his lymph glands were swollen. At a clinic visit, he was referred to Kalafong Hospital where the family received the shocking and terrifying diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (a cancer of the blood and bone marrow).
Further referral was to Steve Biko Hospital where Donovan was admitted for intensive chemotherapy. The first two days were scarily filled with needles.
But then, through CANSA TLC Nicus Lodge, and
thanks to donations from loyal CANSA friends,
Donovan received a Broviac. This changed
everything – including certain aspects
of his additional bone marrow procedures.
This year, top of the family’s wish list is a visit to Cape Town to be with close relatives, and for Donovan to experience the ocean for the first time. Our hope is that their wish comes true.
Around Christmas, many of us make wish lists. We also make gift lists.
If you’re someone who makes gift lists, we’re hoping that clicking here to send your compassionate donation to CANSA might be on that list.
And if it is, we will immediately put it towards a
Broviac for another child who’ll be receiving
cancer treatment – making Christmas and
every other day of treatment easier.
Living with cancer is hard enough for adults, but when a child is suffering it feels so much worse.
And this is why we have TLC Homes like CANSA TLC Nicus Lodge where we accommodate children and their caregivers during cancer treatment.
Again, your donation will help to make extra services like this possible. Thank you.
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