Mom’s mission to help children and families
AFTER the loss of her son to childhood cancer, Bonita Suckling formed the community-based charitable foundation Rainbows and Smiles to provide emotional, social and financial support to children diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening illnesses as well as their families and caregivers.
Suckling, 44, of Randburg in Joburg said every year almost 1 000 children are diagnosed with cancer in South Africa and, due to socio-economic challenges and generally poor levels of awareness of the warning signs, a large number were diagnosed late in their illness.
“As a result, they face a difficult battle against their illness and, sadly for many of our children, treatment just comes too late. Experts in South Africa also estimate that around two-thirds of childhood cancers in our country remain unreported, which means that in reality, closer to 3 000 children actually get cancer every year and don’t get a chance to fight it.”
She was inspired to start the organisation in 2009. Her son Jed Brady, 6, had anaplastic astrocytoma, a form of brain cancer, for more than three years before dying in 2011.
“Jed was a healthy, happy little boy until August 2008 when he started to show signs of headaches, nausea and balance issues. After many doctor and paediatrician visits, he was diagnosed with a highly aggressive brain tumour.
“We decided that through the organisation we would collect and deliver toys and gifts to affected children and run activities for them during their stay in hospital.”
Rainbows and Smiles, she added, strived to educate the public around the early warning signs of childhood cancer.
“We share the latest information on childhood cancer, including research, treatment and other developments. We also assist in providing vouchers for household expenses during a child’s treatment when parents are often forced to stop working, and assist with medical expenses.”
The organisation helps families with funeral expenses as well.
“We offer friendship and peer support through social media, direct contact, message groups and special remembrance days, and connect our newly diagnosed affected families with members in the community to share experiences and provide support and friendship.”
There are volunteers in Joburg, Pretoria, Pietermaritzburg and Durban and the organisation works with healthcare professionals at various treatment centres to assist with complementary support and care.
It is not funded by government and relies on the generosity of supporters and via fund-raising activities.
Suckling can be contacted on 083 460 0999 or visit the website www.rainbowsandsmiles. org.za.