This diagnosis really made me think that I was going to die, but once I met my oncologist and his staff, I realized that this is the beginning of the rest of my life – and what an amazing story it turned out to be.
In the chemo room I met the true angels of the oncology centre – myself and the other cancer survivors were all in the same boat – and we became family during our individual journeys.

My wife Anthea was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and underwent a left breast mastectomy.
She received treatment in Cape Town, approximately 150km from our home in Ceres. At the time we had two children at university and two more at school.
Although, we were very fortunate to have a medical aid, we still had financial constraints with all the travelling costs and so forth.

Many of my family members had cancer and at CANSA Relay For Life we had the opportunity to honour and remember them. As a caregiver for many of them, I always wanted to make them feel that they are not alone and Relay For Life offered them that. It also creates the opportunity to raise funds for cancer awareness and education.
CANSA Relay For Life is a celebration of life and therefore spreads the message that cancer isn’t a death sentence and brings communities together.

Alna Kraak – My caregiving journey started in 1987 as a registered nurse at Groote Schuur Hospital’s Oncology Department. Personally, I was also affected by cancer as I had lost my father-in-law and two uncles to the disease. Patient care is my main priority, but my love for people goes beyond patient services.

Shaunaghlee Ann Botha – Global Hero of Hope 2019 Shaunaghlee Ann Botha (Bloemfontein) (In Memorium) Shaunaghlee passed away in May 2021 – CANSA Relay For Life thanks her and sends condolences to her friends and family.  May she rest in peace. I have been a cancer survivor three times since 1981. Having a family history […]

CANSA Relay For Life celebrated Life and Hope in the best way we could during the COVID-19 pandemic on 6 June 2020. Thank You to EP Digital South Africa (Emanuel and Jacques) for all the hard work and walking with us on this virtual journey! Your support helps fund our care and support programmes provided […]

Watch Global Hero of Hope, Ardath Datnow’s inspiring Story of Hope.

Watch Global Hero of Hope, Leonie Harry’s inspiring Story of Hope.

Watch Global Hero of Hope, Anthea Lewis’s inspiring Story of Hope.

Watch Global Hero of Hope, Wynand Pienaar’s inspiring Story of Hope.

Watch Global Hero of Hope, Sadiyah Moerat’s inspiring Story of Hope

Watch Global Hero of Hope, Elaine Bronkhorst’s inspiring Story of Hope.