South African Alumni Global Heroes of Hope 2018

Anthea Bingle

We are very saddened to inform you of the passing of Anthea. We would like to extend our condolences to Anthea’s family and friends. May her soul rest in peace.

“To Serve and Not be Served”
I was diagnosed at the age of 36 years with Hairy Cell Leukemia. This is a rare type of cancer for women of my age and it is usually found in older males. In 2013, at the age of 50, I was invited to attend CANSA Relay For Life as a survivor and have been an active of member of the CANSA Relay For Life Athlone family since. I first became a team captain in 2014, served on the Committee as the Mission Delivery Chairperson and since 2016 have been the proud Chairperson of the Relay For Life Committee. Read more…

Elaine Bronkhorst

I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 37 years old. It was a great shock to me as my worst fears were confirmed. I was happily married with two children. My support system, my family was great; encouraging me to hold on, be strong and keep my head up high.
It was after one chemotherapy session that I decided to visit CANSA Vaal Triangle Care Centre. I was so sick and pale. I felt too ugly to face the world. I needed some motivation, a make-over, or I could just stay at home and hide from the world. But I also needed information and medical advice. It was this day that I was welcomed into the family – “The CANSA Family”.I felt the need to help and motivate other patients also battling ‘the Big C’ the way that I had been helped that day. Read more…

Gregory Naidoo (Caregiver)

Although I didn’t suffer the physical pain, I experienced the horror, the paralysing fear as I heard that my beloved wife had breast cancer in 2002. My greatest fears were losing my wife and not been able to cope without her.
Questions kept mulling over my mind and the biggest concern was that I would not be able to rear our three little children. It was then that I decided breast cancer would not be the winner, but I would be the ‘winner man’; it had to be our fight. We stepped up as a family. Together, we went through all the stages of fear, denial and acceptance, but it was with this acceptance that I earned my boxing gloves, as I realised that I would have to embrace all of the challenges that faced us. Read more…

Jana Grobler

Jana Grobler

It saddens us at CANSA to share the loss of one of our Global Heroes of Hope, Jana Grobler. She was such an inspiration to her fellow Survivors at CANSA Relay For Life Lephalale, where she served as the chairperson. Jana was always ready to help at our support groups and any other CANSA events.

May you rest in peace, Jana. We salute and thank you. Our deepest condolences to Jana’s loved ones and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.

“The interaction with fellow fighters and survivors is inspirational. The kindness and support so many people affected by cancer is priceless. Being a positive person, I like to inspire. I would also like to tell people to always have hope and live life to the fullest.”

Read more about Jana’s battle against cancer:

I was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer in 2012, at the age of 37. I asked a gynaecologist about a lump in my breast while going for a routine check-up. The doctor referred me for a mammogram and a biopsy. After the shock of been diagnosed with breast cancer, I prayed and asked to be used in this new journey that I was embarking on.
I was elated when the chemotherapy worked and went for a lumpectomy to remove the remaining tissue as well as the lymph glands that were affected. After continuing treatment for a year I was in remission.
I was diagnosed with cancer for a second time in 2014. The cancer has spread to my liver. Read more…

Sadiyah Moerat

We are very saddened to inform you of the passing of Sadiyah. We would like to extend our condolences to Sadiyah’s family and friends. May her soul rest in peace.

“Even the fiercest storms don’t last”
Five days after a devastating miscarriage, 27 years old, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I will never forget the look on the doctor’s face after she told me it was cancer and my response was that it was okay. I believe that this immediate acceptance of the diagnosis played a vital role in my journey. I believed that nobody else could be strong for me, but rather that I had to be strong for everyone else.
Your body listens to your mind, so I would block out all the negativity and only attract good vibes. My body had no choice but to respond positively. Read more…