Being a younger caregiver, I could relate to other teenagers and young adults that are caregivers and the feeling of being totally helpless. Now you must care for the person that always cares for you, it is terrifying, “What if something happens?” or “What if I can’t help?” I have been part of the CANSA Relay For Life for over 10 years and I am currently a committee member on CANSA Relay For Life Pretoria. I am actively involved in all CANSA events because I felt like since I could not help that much when I was young, but I can give back now. Give back that smile when the tears are in the way and give back that HOPE in the darkness…

After being introduced to CANSA Relay For Life as a visitor in 2014, I then became part of the survivors & team member as part of Team Sparkle at CANSA Relay For Life Athlone in 2017 and what an honour to be invited as a Survivor to CANSA Relay For Life Paarl in 2018. Every year I Relay! It encourages everyone, not only people living with cancer, but their loved ones who have lost a loved one and the warriors who won their battle and are able to share their own journeys…

To other Caregivers, I know it is not easy, you sometimes feel that you are lost, that you are the one to shoulder the battle and not the Survivor. You have days you feel alone and not sure how to support your “Survivor” whether it is a friend, a family member or partner. Talk to other people, whether it is a friend or other caregivers and encourage each other. I found my first Relay to make the difference as it is only when you Relay that you understand the meaning and that there are others with the same battle. You realise there is friendship and support in this community…

CANSA brought hope when there was none – and today we give back through our experience, being there as a caregiver to those who need us. For cancer survivors to Relay means that they have survived another year, and for me as caregiver. I Relay to give hope to others and the strength to go on…

I can only think that my diagnosis laid upon my heart the realisation that God wanted me to give back to my community the opportunity to change even just one life. I never imagined that there would be a national footprint with Relay For Life, but I just knew that involvement would be what is right, and God directed. Thus, my involvement was born out of a yearning to be of service and CANSA Relay For Life has been offering me that platform since 2011…

CANSA Relay For Life Global Hero of Hope, Daniel de Wit talks about #CloseTheCareGap for World Cancer Day. https://cansa.org.za/cansa-closing-the-gap-in-cancer-care/

I am Helen Southey- I would like to close the gap so that every patient diagnosed with cancer receive the proper treatment, care and emotional support needed and that their families also receive the necessary support- May we all help to close the gap. https://cansa.org.za/cansa-closing-the-gap-in-cancer-care/

Cancer survivor and CANSA Relay For Life Global Hero of Hope on #CloseTheCareGap for World Cancer Day https://cansa.org.za/cansa-closing-the-gap-in-cancer-care/