Go for gold

September is the golden month of childhood cancer. We all know that pink is for breast cancer, but not everybody knows that gold is the colour for childhood cancer. Gold is a precious metal that goes through extreme fire to be valued.

By the same token, kids with this disease have to go through extreme treatments to survive and they are most definitely more precious than gold. “Hearing the words ‘your child has cancer’ is the day your life changes forever,” says Jacki van Zyl, Lowveld coordinator for Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer. “Because I’m so passionate about childhood cancer, many people assume that I lost a child to this disease, but I’m one of the very  lucky parents who hasn’t gone through this journey myself. I’ve met the most incredible moms (and dads) and kids over the past 15 years. I’m immensely grateful for the huge difference they’ve made in my life, and for the small difference I can make in theirs.

“There are many myths and stigmas around childhood cancer, it’s not all happy kids with sweet, shiny bald heads and brave smiles. Childhood cancer is dark and steals part of a
childhood. It can ruin a family’s life. It can mark them for life. It is one of the most stressful, heart-wrenching things in the world,” says Jacki. “Even when in remission, they always have the threat hanging over their heads that it could be back at the next check-up and/or can have a lifetime of side effects such as stunted growth or other challenges.”

Jacki goes on to say that it’s not all doom and gloom. Being passionate about fundraising to assist these kids and their families and becoming a cupcake angel changed her life for the
better. “Besides being a bit obsessed with magical unicorns, I’m also a bit crazy and don’t mind donning my angel wings and playing the cupcake angel part!” she laughs. Cupcakes of Hope is a non-profit company and a public benefits organisation which relies on volunteers called cupcake angels. Its aim is to create awareness and raise funds for children with cancer. The funds raised enable the cupcake angels to assist up to 100 patients monthly, to pay for their medical expenses and day-to-day needs, such as nutritional food and transport money to and from hospital.

“Sadly, the Lowveld doesn’t have paediatric oncology facilities or doctors, so our little patients here need to go to Gauteng for their treatments. This comes with extra expenses and logistics, and very often means Mum has to stop working to be able to go up and down for treatments, as well as to be home with the child as they often mustn’t attend school because their immune system is severely compromised,” she adds.

Jacki’s passion for kids with cancer started in 2005 when she attended the final concert of Camp Quality, an annual event that has been run by the Rotary Clubs of Nelspruit and White River for over 30 years. It’s hosted at Uplands outside White River, where kids with cancer are brought down to the Lowveld and enjoy five or six days of fun, life-changing experiences and a breakaway from their own reality back home.

“Camp Quality became one of the highlights of my year, and I’ve been part of it most years since then,” says Jacki. “In 2009, a local little boy called Christopher Beets attended Camp
Quality, and he crept into my heart big time,” she smiles. “I also got involved with CANSA TLC. Sadly Chris passed away later that year, but he was the main reason I got more into helping families with a child with cancer. As heartbreaking as it sometimes can be, I cherish the friendships and relationships I build with the parents, the little patient and indeed their
siblings.”

In 2012, Jacki saw an article on Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer and got hold of the founder, Sandy Cipriano. “I loved their outlook and fun way of fundraising,” she says. “What appealed to me most was that all the money raised goes to the kids. It’s not a charity with huge overheads and staff.

“Our slogan is ‘Become a cupcake angel, it’s the sweetest way to save a life’. The concept is that people volunteer as a cupcake angel to host an event for us and/or bake cupcakes, which are then sold for a R10 (or more) donation. So the entire R10 gets donated. It’s a win-win situation in that the amazing ‘cupcake angel’ does a ‘labour of love’ while baking; the volunteers helping at events get to see these amazing works of love and the joy when they’re bought; and each member of the public who contributes their R10 donation for their delicious cupcake has the joy of knowing that it is making a difference to a child with cancer.

“From time to time we have received criticism that we’re promoting cancer by using cupcakes which are full of sugar. This can’t be further from the truth, as we don’t advocate eating cupcakes all the time, but we do all deserve a treat now and again.”

Education and creating awareness of early signs of childhood cancer are among the main focus points of the organisation. Early detection can help save a child’s life. “Cupcakes
of Hope also focuses on educating parents, and an illustrated leaflet is now available on the website in more than 20 languages, including all 11 official South African languages,”
says Jacki.

Some of the families helped by Cupcakes of Hope

THE MAGAGULAS
Little Tandolwethu was diagnosed in May 2020 when she was only two years old, and is still
undergoing treatment every few weeks in Gauteng. This feisty little lady has blood cancer.

THE FRANKENS
Ruben was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma with tumours that had expanded into his brain. His tumours can’t be removed because they are on the nervous system and his
eyesight has been affected. He also has learning challenges and problems with balance.
Ruben (now eight) has an amazing little personality and positive attitude to life!

THE KHOZAS
Phiwokuhle was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in July 2020. After chemo and other
treatments, she is currently in remission.

THE ROOSES
Little Freddie has just turned five and has been in remission for more than two years now, but still has to undergo frequent check-ups which include MRIs and other tests. He was
just over a year old when he was diagnosed with pelvic neuroblastoma.

Details
To become a cupcake angel, send anemail to [email protected] or
[email protected], or WhatsApp her on 083-301-9247 (please, no calls). www.cupcakesofhope.org.