Jacobs offers patients Helping Hand
29-year-old fills gap with foundation after family tragedy
WHEN Linda Jacobs was 29 years old her world was turned upside down when her husband, Ross, lost his fight with cancer, leaving her with a three-yearold son to raise on her own.
Four years ago, Jacobs was determined to turn things around and make a difference in many East London families’ lives who were affected by cancer and started Ross Helping Hands Foundation.
The non-profit organisation, which operates from Jacobs’ Vincent Park home, seeks to assist those suffering from the debilitating illness.
They offer financial support, and nursing support.
“My husband had brain stem cancer and I was caring for him and we had a three-year-old son at the time,” Jacobs said.
“I just found that there was no place in East London where I could turn to for help and after Ross passed away I did a lot of work with Cansa but I wanted to help people on the ground.
“I wanted to know that when we raise R10, that R10 was going towards medication or a hospital bed and that was one of the reasons I started the found the 42-year-old said.
She said if a patient required assistance, for example having to fly to another city for treatment her organisation caregiving covered the costs.
They also step in to assist in caring for patients when patients’ regular caregivers need a break.
“It is not an easy road watching someone battle with cancer,” she said.
“We don’t always help people out in great ways but having someone sit with you while having chemotherapy, small things make a difference.”
The foundation has more than 300 members and a volunteering retired nursing contingent and caregivers.
“Our foundation really symbolises who you can turn to in the city when all else is lost. Because at the end of the day someone could be helping their partner and they just need a break to take care of themselves.
“Cancer touches the majority of people, everyone knows someone who is affected by it and this is my way of saying we are here to help.”
Jacobs hosts events in the city to raise funds. About 15 women from the organisation travelled to Spain last month to raise R193 000 while participating in the Camino fundraising 115km walk.
She said this would sustain the organisation for the next year but hoped they could bring the community of East London together.
“This is not a 9am to 5pm job. It is hard work caring for someone with cancer and it takes a lot out of a person and it is expensive, but to give someone the dignity they need to die in peace is what we aim to do.
“Every case touches you, when you look in someone’s eyes and they are pleading for help,” she added.
Jacobs highlighted the urgency of screening for cancer, despite having a “brilliant oncology unit” available, but the problem many face is when they are out of hospital and are left with no option. “Screening is important, go for your check-ups, pap smears and prostrate check-ups because ignorance is not bliss in this case. Once it is stage four cancer there’s not much that can be done, so it is important,” she said.
“We are all here for a purpose and you need to live today for today because it might be the last one.” — oreillya@tisoblackstar.