Childhood Cancer Archives

Childhood Cancer Dream Rooms

November 27, 2019 Word for Word Media

We hear about The Reach For A Dream Foundation’s latest project: Dream Rooms and how they are sanctuaries for children with life-threatening illnesses. The Reach For A Dream Foundation initiative that was launched in 2018, Dream Rooms are dedicated spaces in hospitals for children who are facing life-threatening illnesses and undergoing treatment. The Dream Rooms are sanctuaries for the brave children, from the ages of three to 18, and parents who need a safe place to relax in hospital and escape the clinical surroundings. Families can spend time in bright and colourful areas that inspire hope and where children can experience the joy of being a child. Due…

Childhood Cancer The Wend – virtual relaxation therapy

November 27, 2019 Word for Word Media

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Recently, blood disease patients receiving treatment at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, in KwaZulu-Natal, experienced virtual relaxation therapy. We hear about the positive effects. The Sunflower Fund proactively creates awareness and education about blood diseases as well as the process involved in becoming a stem cell donor. They remain a Registry of donors that is representative of the people groups in our rainbow nation, who are willing to help anyone for whom they might be a match. With the support of sponsors, like The Wend, who generously supplied the visual relaxation as gifts to the patients, together they could…

Childhood Cancer Kids Kicking Cancer

September 30, 2019 Word for Word Media

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Sensei Ilze van der Merwe tells us how Kids Kicking Cancer (KKC) is giving hope and strength to childhood cancer patients and their families. Origin of KKC Kids Kicking Cancer was founded, in 1999, by Elimelech Goldberg, a black belt karate instructor and clinical assistant professor of paediatrics at Wayne State University in Michigan, USA. The program is now running in over 60 hospitals, across five countries, and has positively impacted the lives of more than 6 000 children and their families, as well as the healthcare professionals treating them. How does KKC help children? KKC is designed to empower and uplift children who are battling…

Childhood Cancer Asking and answering the hard questions

September 26, 2018 Word for Word Media

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We hear why honest communication is a cornerstone of good children’s palliative care. Good communication from all channels Communication is the cornerstone of all interaction and ensures relationship. However, poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, anxiety, resentment and, inevitably, a complete breakdown of trust. Good communication practices in palliative care are crucial. Particularly when caring for very sick children and their families. This includes communication between the palliative care team members themselves; conversations with parents; communication between parents; and, most significantly, direct communication with the sick child. A conspiracy of silence Children are among the most marginalised and vulnerable members of society…

Childhood Cancer Lives to play

June 1, 2018 Word for Word Media

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We hear how superhero, Lofentse Buthelezi, became the victor over childhood cancer. Lofentse Buthelezi (8) stays in Mondeor, Gauteng with his parents, Sithuli and Masetshego, and his baby sister. On the day of the interview, Lofentse plays outside. He told his father, Sithuli, beforehand that he wants to be outdoors with his friends so Sithuli must rather answer the questions. This is perfectly normal behaviour for an energetic eight-year-old, but most of all it shows that the little superhero is catching up on lost playing time. Diagnosed at age 5 Ironically, it was a fall off the jungle gym, at…

Childhood Cancer Nutrition during childhood cancer

June 1, 2018 Word for Word Media

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Berna Harmse informs us about nutrition during childhood cancer. Cultivating healthy eating habits is part of the well-being of any child. Food helps build strength and strong immune systems and is also important for normal growth as well as brain development. Children receiving cancer treatment need sufficient amounts of nutritious foods for all the same reasons, but with caution so as to prevent weight loss and long-term effects on normal development. The basics of good nutrition during childhood include: Eating regular balanced meals and snacks with a variety of nutrient-rich foods. Including fruit and vegetables daily (aim for at least…

Childhood Cancer Cancer in our youth

June 1, 2018 Word for Word Media

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CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation share the reality of childhood cancer, and celebrate Survivors, this International cancer Survivors’ Day. Statistics According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), around 150 per million children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 15. In South Africa, it’s estimated that we diagnosed between 70-80 per million children. Of those diagnosed most are in late stages – partly due to lack of knowledge – which leads to longer treatment, more disabilities and a lower survival rate. This can drastically improve with more knowledge shared about childhood cancer. Increased survival rates “In the…

Childhood Cancer A dream come true

September 28, 2017 Word for Word Media

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Lesedi Sekgololo tells us how Reach For A Dream Foundation made her dream of meeting celebrity chef, Siba, come true. Lesedi Sekgololo (15) stays in Lonehill, Gauteng with her mother, Victoria, and her two younger sisters. She also has an older brother and her father is based abroad. Misdiagnosed After numerous doctors’ appointments and even more misdiagnoses – stomach bug, urinary tract infection, appendicitis, constipation, iron deficiency – with a doctor even asking Lesedi if she was anorexic, it was discovered that there was a mass growing between her right kidney and bladder. Seven months later…

Childhood Cancer Walking the walk with children – a private paediatric oncologist’s insights

June 5, 2017 Word for Word Media

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As much as it is parental instinct to protect your child against traumatic news, such as a cancer diagnosis, it’s virtually impossible. Parents and the patient are entitled to know the full extent of the problem so they can be empowered and educated. The clinician’s job is to earn their trust, hold their hand through the journey, and make it as safe and pain-free as possible. That’s how Dr Monica Vaithilingum, a private paediatric oncologist and haematologist approaches her patients. She expounds on this topic.

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Childhood Cancer A snap guide to childhood cancer

March 28, 2017 Word for Word Media

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Discovery Health offers a snap guide to taking control when your child is diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer happens when cells grow out of control; normal cells turn into abnormal ones and then multiply rapidly, crowding out healthy cells. Instead of dying off and being replaced like normal cells, cancer cells live longer. Some cancers affect only a specific area, while others spread. The most common childhood cancers are unsurprisingly found in developing cells, such as blood and bone marrow (leukaemia), the immune system (lymphoma), the brain and nervous system (brain tumours and neuroblastomas), kidneys,…

Archives Go for Gold

August 1, 2016 Word for Word Media

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September is International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month September is the gold ribbon month – marked as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month; this is a time where globally, countries honour and remember children and families affected by this rare disease, and help rally awareness on the early warning signs of childhood cancer. CHOC Childhood Cancer foundation SA is encouraging all South Africans to “Go for Gold” by purchasing the gold ribbon from the online CHOC Store or nearest CHOC offices. The ribbon is to be worn throughout the month of September. This will go a long way in highlighting the disease and showing…

Archives Fighting childhood cancer: Siyamthanda Hlantshwayo

May 1, 2016 Word for Word Media

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Siyamthanda Hlantshwayo is a resilient, 12- yearold boy who is fighting childhood cancer. It all began in April 2014, after his 10th birthday on 6 April 2014, when his mother, Thandekile, noticed lumps on his neck. “I panicked and immediately took him to a pediatrician; afraid he had mumps,” said the mother. To her surprise she was told that he has Lymphoma Cancer; a blood cancer that occurs when cells of the immune system called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, grow and multiply uncontrollably. In disbelief, Thandekile visited another pediatrician for a second opinion, who referred her son…