The father of two was devastated, first losing his job and then being diagnosed with a terminal illness. What seemed like a death sentence had turned into a very inspiring story for the mine worker.

She decided from the start to stay positive and not feel sorry for herself, as she knew that self-pity would have affected her loved ones terribly.

Francois Pienaar: My story started on 25th of March 2011. As I sat in the doctor’s office, not expecting the words that he would say next, my world collapsed as he smiled compassionately and said, “You have cancer”. It took a minute or two before the reality of what the doctor had said sunk in. […]

The highlight of the event was the pure survival instinct of a 16 year old cancer survivor, who walked the track from the beginning to the end of the CANSA Relay For Life Klerksdorp. At midnight, his legs got tired but he refused to give up.

“It was special to be able to walk the track with my sister, sharing in her celebration of surviving cancer. Where else would I have had this opportunity to dance and celebrate?”

She is inspired by the strength, courage and love of live of her fellow survivors and all those she worked with since her cancer journey started.

“CANSA Relay For Life became important to me because it shows that there is hope right through the darkness and that there is always someone to hold your hand and help you through.”

For her it is time to make sure that we speak openly and factually about cancer and how to avoid it by making better lifestyle choices from a young age.

“I knew I had to fight because my little girl needed her father and I was determined to be the father that was one day, walking her down the aisle.”

My name is Elise Fourie, I am a cancer Survivor diagnosed with thyroid cancer in December 2001. Thyroid cancer is a fairly rare cancer, and depending on the type of cancer, a cancer with a fairly good prognosis. This information however, didn’t help at all in that moment that I was told that I have […]

25 July 2014: Caring for Caregivers because you Care CANSA places the spotlight on caregivers this CANSA Care Week 1 – 7 August 2014. A caregiver is anyone who cares, without being paid, for a friend or family member who is fighting cancer and cannot cope without support. “We feel that sometimes caregivers’ loving care […]

“Hello Doctor”  interviewed our CANSA Global Relay For Life Hero of Hope, Magda Jacobs at the CANSA Keurboom Care Home recently. She shared her inspirational story about her cancer journey and they also discussed the financial, physical & emotional implications of cancer. Watch the video: %CODE1%