Head start for Hayley
School holds shavathon to cover secretary’s cancer bills
STAFF and pupils at Forest Village Leadership Academy in Blue Downs, along with the broader community, have rallied behind the school’s receptionist Hayley Daniels, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and arranged a fund-raiser to assist with her medical bills.
She was alerted that something was amiss early this year, when her eightmonth-old baby would not drink from her left breast. She was diagnosed with stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer shortly afterwards at the Tygerberg Mama Breast Clinic.
“The journey has not been easy, but knowing that I have a baby girl and family to fight for makes it that much easier,” Daniels said.
Her school family came out in support of Daniels and arranged to have a “Shavathon for Hayley” to raise money for her rising medical bills.
Staff at Forest Village Leadership Academy, learners, school governing body members, parents and the community rallied to the cause.
The pupils had their hair sprayed by the teachers, but the school hall was moved to tears when, in an emotional scene, Daniels broke down as two of the school’s teachers, the janitors and even some of the parents opted to have their hair cut by Daniels herself.
“Today means so much to me. I love my colleagues, I love these learners, and the way they’ve supported me means everything to me,” Daniels said.
“That little hug, the words of encouragement help me to keep fighting and give me hope.”
Kaytlyn Minnies, a Grade 2 teacher at the school, said she had known Daniels for four years and described her as “the light at the school – she has always been the positive person who brings people together”.
“We are just doing what she has always been doing for us. We are here to support her and we believe she will get through this.”