CHOC throws a life-line

EVERY three minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer in the world. Childhood cancer is now the leading cause of death among children.

While the good news is that 80% are cured if caught early, this is only in First World countries. Sadly only 50% survive in South Africa and only 27% in the Eastern Cape.

This is due largely to significant barriers to early detection and diagnosis of childhood cancer in our country.

At CHOC we aim to provide the best possible support for children with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders and their families.

Beginning as a parent support group in 1979, CHOC developed into a nationwide organisation with a head office, six regions, two branches and 13 housing facilities.

Our holistic approach includes emotional support in the hospital wards – from diagnosis onwards – and practical support ranging from accommodation, transport, care bags and basic nutritional support.

Without our support, many children – particularly from low-income families living far from treatment centres – would not be able to access, or adhere to, the necessary but arduous treatment cycle, which can last more than three years.

CHOC also advocates on behalf of those whose lives have been affected by childhood cancer through awareness campaigns and lobbying.

CHOC is an internationally recognised NPO which relies on funds donated by individuals, companies, trusts and foundations and investments. We also host a number of fundraising projects and events to accrue further funding. Funds raised by CHOC directly benefit the children and their families, as well as support those who are involved in the treatment of childhood cancer.

Nationally we support six of the country’s nine provinces wherever there is a state paediatric oncology treatment unit. These include the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Kalahari, Gauteng, Pretoria, Western Cape and Namakwa.

There are core CHOC projects in Port Elizabeth for children who are battling cancer and are being treated at the Provincial Hospital’s paediatric oncology ward. based at the state paediatric oncology ward. The social worker counsels and supports the children and their families from the time of diagnosis until the end of treatment or through bereavement when treatment has failed.

The practical support programme comprises the following projects:

ý Accommodation and nutrition in CHOC houses (close to the hospitals) for children needing to receive regular treatment and who live outside of the city where the limited specialist treatment centres are.

This is, however, not currently available since the move of the paediatric oncology unit from Dora Nginza Hospital to Provincial Hospital but is planned for in the short to medium term.

ý Transport, nutrition and basic necessities, such as food parcels and clothing, for families in need and coming from distant communities for ongoing treatment.

ý Recreational activities while in hospital – often supported through volunteers.

ý Community awareness of early detection of childhood cancer – through community talks and campaigns, 80% can recover if this disease is detected early.

ý Support and training of health professionals, traditional healers and communities about the early warning signs of cancer.

ý Upgrading of treatment facilities into child-friendly environments.

ý Advocating on a policy level for the lives of children and their families who are and have been affected by this disease.

Most of the children we support in Port Elizabeth are between the ages of two and 15 years old, with the majority coming from various disadvantaged, rural and distant communities without medical aid insurance.

We also support private patients whose medical aid savings have been depleted as a result of the prolonged nature of treatment.

CHOC PE aims to assist all children from Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas who are treated for cancer; providing on-site support at the paediatric oncology unit at Provincial Hospital.

On average, we support 50 children with cancer who are receiving regular treatment as outpatients at the hospital – 30 are active chemotherapy patients and 10 to 15 are seriously ill and admitted to the ward.