Spreading CHEER to childhood cancer sufferers
September is childhood cancer awareness month, and Pietermaritzburg mother and cancer fighter Candice Kriel experiences firsthand the reality of childhood cancer on a daily basis.
In fact, when Kriel spoke to Maritzburg Sun, she had just returned from buying toys for a boy who has three weeks left to live.
“We try to spoil him and bring him some joy. We’re always proud of the toy bundles we give out,” she said.
Kriel along with her husband, rugby star
Daniel Kriel, founded the NPO, Happy Bundles in November 2020 after Kriel was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and was shocked at the number of young children she saw receiving treatment alongside her.
“People don’t know what childhood cancer is all about and how prominent it actually is. Before I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, when they found a lump, I didn’t think cancer at all. I was young and healthy. You tend to see older people suffering from cancer, not young people. But then I was diagnosed and I was shocked when I noticed the number of kids undergoing treatment,” she recalled.
“I just feel like [these kids] got dealt the short end of the stick. They weren’t given any time to live a healthy life, to prevent or decrease the chances of getting cancer. I get angry when I think about it,” she shared.
Kriel recalled having just relocated to Johannesburg last year after undergoing a double mastectomy and then receiving a present from a friend. “I was so happy to get something; it cheered me up. I started to think, how much more joy do these little children deserve during this time?”
That thought was the birth of Happy Bundles, which, through donations and fundraising, buys toys and gifts for children undergoing cancer treatment.
At just under a year old, Happy Bundles is already hot on the heels of reaching 100 happy bundles sent out. The NPO has already brightened the smiles of over 85 children suffering from cancer throughout the country.
Of that number, Kriel said they have lost nine children. “That just speaks to the reality of childhood cancer,” said the mother of two.
Kriel finished her treatment last week and is awaiting the results of her first scan to confirm whether she is in remission. Reflecting on a very tough year, Kriel said being actively involved in Happy Bundles proved to be a “good distraction”.
Kriel said the highlight of Happy Bundles is seeing how happy the children are to receive their gifts.
“You choose presents for them based on their age and gender, and you just hope they will like it. I remember a little girl from Ballito who had a massive smile when receiving her happy bundle. It just warms your heart,” Kriel shared.
Exciting plans are on the cards for the Kriels as they prepare to take their family and their NPO to America. Daniel has signed a three-year rugby contract in the States.
“There’s so many children in the States that are suffering from cancer. I am looking forward to dedicating my time to it,” Kriel said, adding that Happy Bundles will continue to serve the children in South Africa as well.
If anyone would like to donate towards Happy Bundles, you can do so through their website: https://www.happybundles.co.za/donations-page or email kriels@happybundles.co.za