Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Karate kids kick back at cancer
THE kids are kicking their way to less pain at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
The Kids Kicking Cancer (KKC) programme launched more than 12 months ago at Red Cross. But now, KKC can be found in Tygerberg, Maitland and at Groote Schuur Hospital.
It all began in Detroit, US, with karate black belt Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg’s loss of his child to cancer. Twenty years later, KKC was born, and it has spread into a global movement committed to reducing the pain children feel by using martial arts as a form of therapy.
“We have expanded to six different countries now – US, Canada, Italy, Israel, and South Africa – and we are launching in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana,” said programme coordinator Ilze van der Merwe.
Birgitt Smit and Van der Merwe have been doing martial arts for the past 20 to 28 years. Van der Merwe said KKC’s main focus was to teach children cancer-breathing techniques. She said they used their expertise to help the children bring oxygen into their bodies.
“This is to help the children minimise stress levels and get them calm and more in control, which leads to less pain,” added Van der Merwe.
As a way to make the kids feel courageous, they give them martial arts uniforms to wear during treatment.
In weekly class sessions, Smit and Van der Merwe teach them how to stretch and perform karate moves.
Van der Merwe added that the breathing, guided imagery and meditation techniques had proved to be very successful in lowering pain and discomfort during difficult treatments.
“Children find it fun when we are doing karate moves together,” said the martial arts instructor. “It motivates us every day, especially when we see the spirit of the child and the excitement in his or her eyes.
“They don’t associate us with needles and pins; that’s something they identify with doctors,” added Smit.
“Every time I see something about karate on TV, I get excited because I like what Sisi teaches us,” said Liyahluma Nonkuntwana, 7.
Liyahluma has been going for treatment at Red Cross Hospital since he was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2017. Every month his mother, Nomali, and sister, Khanya, travel with him to Rondebosch.
On arrival, he looks eager to learn new karate movements, jumping around with a big smile on his face. One would never guess he has cancer.
Nomali said when she heard that her son had cancer, she could not believe it. Knowing how happy and energetic he was made her even more worried.
Liya’s sister said her baby brother always showed a positive attitude at the hospital, and it was all thanks to the karate programme.
“As tough as it is for a child to have cancer, it’s a relief to see that child get treated successfully,” said Van der Merwe.
“KKC helps children be victors, and not victims of the illness.”
Diagnosed with leukaemia in February, Rozharn Crouse first complained about his left knee to his mother, who took him to a couple of hospitals before his diagnosis.
Grandmother Jessica Strydom usually accompanies him to his treatments, which are fortnightly.
“I am happy he is getting better. My grandson is in his maintenance stage. We didn’t know he could get better due to the fact that his granddad died from cancer as well,” said Strydom.
She said Rozharn’s sessions with KKC calmed him down.
“Even though we were sick with worry and upset, seeing him get better each day makes me happy.”
“This is to help children minimise stress levels and get them calm
Ilze van der Merwe MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR