CANSA needs your help
The Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) Ward needs your help to better the lives of the children entering the ward.
Bobby Were, coordinator at the TLC ward explained that cancer is when the cells in the body split and multiply and, in a child, cancer can double in 24 hours. Because all the cells in a child’s body are busy growing, chemotherapy can be intense on a child and it is encouraged that the mother be present through this period.
“Having the mother around makes it easier for the nurses because they can change nappies, bathe the child and bring a sense of comfort to the child,” he explained.
Were added that because the mother takes time to be with the child for an extended period of time, they are often left without the means to put bread on the table and causes an immense financial burden on the family. He explained that chemotherapy affects many of the functions of the body and it becomes vital that infections are kept at bay. “When a child is undergoing chemotherapy, the infection rate is higher, and so is the risk of higher medical bills,” he said.
Were added that some of the things that people don’t often consider is the effect it has on family life. While the mother is at the ward with a sick child there might be other siblings at home. There is no one to attend to their daily needs so when the mother comes home for a break in treatment, there can be sibling ling rivalry because the e ill child has had the mother’s other’s full attention for or weeks. She also returns ns with toys from the TLC ward while she has nothing thing to give to the children dren at home. “We try to encourage people to bring us good second-hand nd clothing which the mothers can take home ome for the other er children. This is so that when they go home, they have something for the family,” he explained.
They also try to put together food parcels because many of these children are from the rural areas where the families are struggling. The parcels can’t be too big because they use hospital transport but they often consist of nutritious food like 2kg mielie meal, packet of macaroni, tinned meat, tinned beef, cup-a-soup and 2-minute noodles, among others.
“We know that the family will have something nutritious to eat during their time at home. Toys are also something that Cansa appreciates to take home,” added Were. Cansa would appreciate if local organisations such as local knitting clubs can knit socks, ponchos and mittens because the children undergoing chemotherapy feel the cold more than the average person.
Another dire need is port needles because the hospital doesn’t provide those, they provide the syringes and other medications. Cansa has a donor who donates Andolex, a mouth spray to treat mouth sores but the demand sometimes exceeds the supply. They would also appreciate donations of Tasectan which is used to treat diarrhea, Germolene Ointment and Zambuck to treat skin and lips.
Another great need is money or R12 airtime vouchers to give to the mothers to get in contact with family members. We have wonderful sponsors such as Cupcakes for Kids Kid who donated party packs for the children. Rainbow and Smiles donated 50 port needles. To make donations, contact Bobby Were on 076 154 2008 or Sam Maphosa on 079 513 8146.