Every gift that you give to CANSA is not just a cold and impersonal financial transaction. It’s a gift that touches the life of someone living with cancer. That makes it very personal. And whilst you may never meet one of those people, we can share with you their stories, which will make your kindness more real for you.
We at CANSA may be the hands that help, but our ability to help is powered by you and your donations. That makes all the words of gratitude and appreciation that follow also due to you.
This is Ashleigh’s story . . .
With a past history of a condition that needed chronic medication, Ashleigh’s journey with cancer began in 2021.
Sick on and off with stomach pains, constipation and swelling of her stomach, hospital visits and various tests didn’t reveal a cause until Ashleigh was rushed to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital as an emergency patient. Surgery revealed that the huge mass was colon cancer stage 2.
Ashleigh was devastated. Starting chemotherapy immediately was advised, but with sections of the hospital (including the chemotherapy unit) having been damaged by fire, Ashleigh and some other patients didn’t know what to do, or where to go.
It was Ashleigh’s sister in Australia who suggested that she should contact CANSA.
Ashleigh shares:
“What a relief it was when CANSA Advocacy Head, Zodwa Sithole, put me in touch
with Sister Tersia of the Chemo Clinic, and I was directed to
Baragwanath Hospital for chemo and further check-ups.
“Still getting help from them even though I’m now three and a half years in remission,
I remain eternally grateful to CANSA who took the time to help me on my journey
to being a survivor. God bless all who were there for me.”
A heartbroken granddaughter expresses her gratitude
“Over more than eight years, CANSA walked alongside my late grandmother, Hantie Robinson, in her fight against cancer.
“From full hands-on assistance after my grandmother’s first diagnosis, when the cancer returned at stage 4, she got assistance CANSA West Rand.
“Not much help was available from the State Hospital, and it was West Rand’s Monica and Isabel who stood with us during the most traumatic and heartbreaking time of our lives.
“Always only a phone call and a drive away, regardless of the time of day or night, they were with my grandmother when we couldn’t be by her side.
“These two wonderful people played a vital role in creating a safe place where, as a family, we felt cared for and loved. Test results were explained so that we could all understand them. Their home-based care, counselling and much more were above and beyond any expectation.
“Losing someone is never easy, especially seeing them lose the fight in front of you. And when the end came, the caring continued for those of us who were left behind.
“CANSA was the light at the end of the tunnel during the times of our worst suffering. We are forever grateful.”
(Ashley Olson Alberts – granddaughter to the late and beloved Hantie Robinson)