Share Your Story
Please share your Relay For Life story with us.
Join us on Facebook:
Champions of Hope – CANSA Survivors
(For all cancer survivors or carers who wish to share their story and encourage each other)
CANSA’s Cancer Coping Kit
You can listen to the audio tracks of CANSA’s Cancer Coping Kit or read the text of the audio transcription in the following languages:
December 20th, 2012 at 01:36
Hi.. I lost my fav gran last year Aug 19th 2011 to liver cancer and my father has Melanoma and Basil cancer in his left side of his face.. Dr’s at Universitas did opperate but they couldn’t get it all.. Dr said the slitest bumb to the head can triger the cancer and there is nothing they can do.. So its only a matter of time.. I’m scared of te day I have 2 go into his room and find him not with us anymore.. Me and him are very close so I dnt know what I will do if I have to lose him.. And just that thought and fear of losing him is busy driving me insane..
December 21st, 2012 at 02:43
Dear Charisse
I am sorry to hear about your father. Please contact your nearest CANSA Care Centre for support in the New Year. Care Centres open on 7th January 2013. However, if you need to chat to someone now, please call our Toll Free Call Centre on 0800 22 66 22. It is very scary when a loved one’s health is not certain – please contact our staff for advice and support.
December 29th, 2012 at 23:05
Hi, my name is sheryl naidoo and I just lost my grandfather on the 30th of november from cancer, he was diagnosed with 4th stage cancer last year december and he really struggled this year, he was a fighter, during his sickness he would never say he is sick, he was always okay to make everyone happy bt the cancer ate him from the inside, he really suffered, I can never imagine a human go through so much pain, it made me cry every time I saw him as the cancer tore him apart until his last days of life, I would like to do something in stanger, kwa duguza in tribute of him bt how do I go about doing it?
December 30th, 2012 at 11:47
Dear Sheryl
I am sorry to hear about your grandfather. It is very difficult to watch someone you love suffer. Please contact your local CANSA Care Centre for support – see link to contact details here: http://www.cansa.org.za/cansa-care-centres-contact-details/ – the staff will also let you know where you can offer your support in honour of your grandfather. They can also let you know how to get involved in a local Relay For Life event if you wish.
February 21st, 2013 at 21:22
Hi my name is Nerisa, my husband was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2008, this happend at a time when we both least expected it. He had to go for surgery to have his thyroid removed. This was a very difficult time for me and still is… Last year I also lost my grandmother to skin cancer, my family is still trying to deal with the loss as she was our pillar, a person that everyone could depend on. Although my husband has been in remission for 1 year now, I still live with the fear that it could pop up again at any time, he has to go for scans every six months,but my trust is in God and I believe that we will grow old and grey together. Im really looking forward to entering the relay for life this year, I just feel that i need to do something to help with the fight against cancer.
February 22nd, 2013 at 13:15
Dear Nerisa thank you so much for sharing with us and for supporting Relay For Life – it does feel better to get actively involved in the fight against cancer. If you enjoy the Relay For Life experience and would like to become more involved with CANSA as a volunteer, you can visit this link on the CANSA website: http://www.cansa.org.za/become-a-volunteer/ or you can contact your local CANSA Care Centre: http://www.cansa.org.za/cansa-care-centres-contact-details/
Wishing you and your husband the best of health and that you contine to walk close to God.
March 5th, 2013 at 11:56
My sister, Cheryl de Wit was diagnosed January 2012 with cancer! She has not gone to lie down and let cancer get the better of her. She has held her head up high, put on her pink stilletos and a tiara on her head (even when she lost her hair due to the chemotherapy) and has inspired us all to be better people, take care of ourselves more, to thank our God everyday for what we have and held our hands through her difficult times. In August 2012 she underwent a double mastectomy and yet, never a bad word. She is the most awesome person I know and even through it all, she always has a smile on her face, never giving up hope, never losing faith and believing in her own words “always to dance in the storm”
March 6th, 2013 at 08:00
Dear Lynn, thank you for sharing about your sister, Cheryl – what a powerful testimony – she sounds like an inspirational person! I am going to share this on CANSA’s Facebook platforms to encourage others who are struggling with cancer. Please let us know if Cheryl has the support she needs or if there is something CANSA can do to help – email Debbie: cansawebmaster@gmail.com
March 14th, 2013 at 08:10
My very brave and beautiful sister, Melanie Norton, lost her 10 year battle with stage 4 breast cancer on the 18th June 2012 at the young age of 46.
I would simply like to pay her a tribute by letting everyone know what an amazing woman she was. She was the most amazing person I knew and expect will ever know in my life. Throughout her fight, she never once thought of herself and always had a smile on her face.
When she was first diagnosed at the age of 36, I myself was only 22 and never fully understood what stage 4 cancer meant. Now, I have done extensive research on the particular cancer that she had, and I am brought to my knees thinking of what she had to endure. I am truly amazed at the strength in which she handled the entire ordeal from beginning to end.
She was truly the “glue” that kept the family together, and while life carried on for all of us around her, she continued to be there for everyone – always the advice giver with open arms, a listening ear and sparkling, smiling eyes. In fact, there are no words that could do her justice, but I believe I had to try. I am truly blessed to have had her for a sister, and she will live on in my heart and mind forever.
So, on Saturday, I will be walking in honour of her – I’m sure that she would be proud.
March 14th, 2013 at 14:35
I lost my mom to cancer on 4 January 2012. She was diagnosed on the 15 December 2011. She suffered immensely without showing her pain. I feared the day i’d lose my mother. My mother was a very determined, independent and faithful woman, even through all the pain she endured she always gave us her warmest smile. It was the hardest thing to endure, seeing my mom going for all the tests and the pain she experienced.
It is now a year and two months later and we still miss her very dearly. We believe and know that God needed her for a better purpose. My family and I (even my mom. when she was still healthy) often took part in CANSA relays, she was always the one who would walk right through the night, with very little breaks, while we watched and cheered her on for her determined spirit…
Since losing my mom to this horrible disease I vowed to take part in as many cancer awareness events as possible, I really feel for those still fighting the battle, I always pray for them!
Keep the Faith!
Kelly
xxx
March 15th, 2013 at 12:20
Dear Kelly
Thank you for your inspirational post – I have posted it on our Facebook pages too to encourage those who are still fighting cancer. If you would ever like to become more involved with CANSA as a volunteer, read more here: http://www.cansa.org.za/become-a-volunteer/ – it is wonderful that you are prepared to support in any way you can and this is a lovely tribute to your mother.
March 15th, 2013 at 12:31
Dear Candice
Thank you for sharing such a moving tribute to your sister, Melanie, with us. I have posted it on our Facebook groups | pages to encourage others. It is wonderful for you to be honouring her memory in such a tangible manner, as taking part in a relay event.
March 27th, 2013 at 12:35
hie, i really never realised how serious this disease is until now when a close friend and mentor has it. she has been in remission for 8years now and the cancer has come back again. to see the pain she goes through is really painful for me. her children are approaching teen years when they need her more and it breaks my heart as they watch the side effects of chemotherapy on their mother. we are all praying that she wins this battle, she is the nicest person i know.
March 28th, 2013 at 09:29
Dear Eugene
It is very painful to watch someone you care for struggle with cancer. Please arrange for counselling for your friend and her family through her local CANSA Care Centre if she does not already have support: http://www.cansa.org.za/cansa-care-centres-contact-details/ – read more about the support CANSA offers to those affected by cancer here: http://www.cansa.org.za/cansas-holistic-cancer-care-support/
If you are worried regarding her teenage children and how they are coping with their mother’s illness, you can contact Vera van Dalen – email: tlc@cansa.org.za – she heads up support for children & teens who have cancer themselves BUT also for children & teens whose parents are affected by cancer.
Your friend is also welcome to join our Facebook group for cancer survivors (anyone who has heard the words ‘you have cancer’) – the members have all had cancer in the past or have it now and are very supportive of one another: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ChampionsofHope/
For more information on cancer and prevention & early detection please visit the CANSA website: http://www.cansa.org.za – if you would like to learn more about cancer and coping with it so that you can better understand what your friend is dealing with, download CANSA’s CancerCare Coping Kit Audioprogramme here: http://www.cansa.org.za/cancercare-coping-kit/
Wishing you, your friend and her family much strength at this time.
May 2nd, 2013 at 13:58
Hi as i go through your polokwane relay for life i see my mother,she has been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 she managed to overcome the painful treatment of chemotherapy and held on with a positive lifestyle with boundaries,she has been supportive of others in the same situation. last year 2012 she went for yet another major operation to remove her gall stones,the Dr’s at Lesedi clinic found a growth on her neck,sadly she could not deal with the ordeal of having to deal with two different things at a time,ever since the operation last year her health hasn’t been well/good,she took a biopsy few weeks ago and it came positive for lymphoma,at the moment i can’t stop thinking of how could such a wonderful,humble,caring and loving person like her go through all this without the support that she really deserves,i wish i could be supportive but my question is how and where do i start? i really wish she can be around people who have managed to overcome all this and that she keeps fighting ..am breaking down inside every time i think of her health
May 3rd, 2013 at 08:26
Dear Rebecca
Your mother sounds like a wonderfully brave woman. It must be very hard to see her struggling. Please contact your local CANSA Care Support Centre for counselling and advice as to how you can support your mom. Also for support for yourself. Here are the contact details: http://www.cansa.org.za/cansa-care-centres-contact-details/
You can also download our CancerCare Coping Kit Audioprogramme here: http://www.cansa.org.za/cancercare-coping-kit/
We have a Facebook Group for cancer survivors (anyone who has heard the words ‘you have cancer’) – all the members have either had cancer in the past or have it now and they are very supportive of one another. Caregivers may also join this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChampionsofHope/ – if your mom doesn’t have access to Facebook, the CANSA Care Centre staff will be able to refer her to a support group.
See what Cameron had to say about supporting his wife when she had cancer: “Caring for someone with cancer is the toughest job I’ve ever had. You have to be careful with your emotions and you have to show strength, no matter what you think is going on or what will happen. However, when people offer help, you should always accept. They help you to realize that we don’t face the toughest challenges alone and that there is all kinds of love in this world to help you through rough times.” You can read more here: http://www.cansa.org.za/learning-to-be-a-caregiver-for-someone-with-cancer/ – for stories of hope click here: http://www.cansa.org.za/category/stories-of-hope/
Participating in a Relay For Life Event can also be very uplifting.
Wishing you and your mom much strength at this time!
May 16th, 2013 at 12:06
My sister, Lynn Thiart, posted something about me on 5 March 2013. All I can say is that I am soooo blessed for having the friends, family, collegues and community that I have. If it was not for them I don’t think that I would have had such a positive experience after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Even now that I am cancer free I am continuosly surrounded by love from everybody that I know. I am part of the CANSA Relay For Life team these days so that I (in my small way) can say thank you to the world for standing behind me throughout my diagnosis and treatment. CANSA stood by me and helpled me all the way and I will always be grateful. Maybe one day I can be able to help somebody who has to fight cancer. The biggest lesson I learnt is that in HOPE there is STRENGTH. So don’t forget to Celebrate! Remember! Fight Back and never ever give up HOPE!!!