CANSA Surrounds Young Cancer Patients with Hope, Dignity and Care

Afrikaanse Media Vrystelling

31 August 2026 – September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) continues to provide comprehensive support for young patients and families. From treatment devices, accommodation during treatment, to adolescent-friendly rooms, palliative care and community education, CANSA’s Tough Living with CANSA (TLC) programme helps children, young people and families cope with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“CANSA recognises when a child, adolescent or young adult (AYA) is diagnosed with cancer, the impact is felt within the family, and community,” says Anina Meiring, CANSA Service Manager: Childhood Cancer. “Our role is to practically support the patient and family, providing human connection and dignity from diagnosis through treatment.”

Community Centred Practical Family Support

“The TLC Programme is family-centred and it combines practical assistance, age-appropriate support spaces, emotional and nutritional support, and accommodation close to treatment centres. It draws hospitals, schools, volunteers, donors and community organisations into a broader circle of support around each family,” Meiring continues.

Practical interventions designed to ease treatment, and reduce anxiety are made possible. In the past financial year this included providing 56 implanted chemotherapy ports, 13 venous catheters, 352 needles, 318 dressings and 9 mobility aids (wheelchairs / strollers); 52 bone needle soft lines; emotionally supporting 166 teens / young adults; providing specialised nutrition to 58 children; food support intervention to 228 recipients; and assisting 38 children with end-of-life care.

Cancer treatment often takes families far from home and creates unexpected financial, emotional and practical pressures. CANSA TLC helps ease these demands by providing free accommodation near treatment centres, including meals, food parcels, toiletries and other essentials, as well as counselling for parents, caregivers and siblings.

There are three CANSA TLC Lodges. TLC Nicus Lodge (near Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria), TLC Tygerberg Lodge (premises Tygerberg Hospital in Bellville) and the TLC Durban Lodge. TLC provides in-hospital support at Polokwane Hospital. Dedicated AYA spaces at the TLC Tygerberg Lodge and Olea Katleho Care Home (Bloemfontein) provide greater privacy for older youth, opportunities to continue studying and, where possible, accommodation for a parent or caregiver.

“These practical forms of support protect dignity and help families to keep going,” says Meiring. “An implanted chemotherapy port can reduce repeated needle trauma; a room close to the ward can keep a parent near a child; and a meal can help a family through a stressful day.”

Strengthening Hospital Partnerships and Educating Communities

CANSA TLC works alongside healthcare teams to support paediatric oncology wards, help families navigate treatment and extend palliative care beyond the hospital environment. TLC conducted 1,852 ward-round events visiting 468 young patients*.

Community education plays an important role in helping families and educators recognise possible warning signs of childhood cancer. CANSA’s First Line of Defence (FLOD) game to increase awareness, was piloted at Kabega Primary School (Gqeberha), with 10 volunteers being trained, reaching 250 learners and 21 educators. TLC further held 25 awareness events that reached 1,428 people. Bereavement support training was given to 18 volunteers, strengthening communities’ ability to support grieving families*.

“When communities understand the warning signs and know how to respond, they become part of the support system,” says Meiring.

Sustained through Collaboration

Collaboration between CANSA, healthcare institutions, volunteers, donors, schools, businesses, community organisations and specialist partners is vital to the TLC Programme’s success. Partnerships with DKMS, ALSAC and Know the Glow also extend TLC’s reach through donor awareness, professional learning and resources. Contributions of time, skills, goods and services help keep support available throughout the year.

Wear it, and Share it

This September, CANSA invites everyone to take part in its Wacky Wardrobe Challenge by wearing their wildest, mismatched outfits to spark awareness of childhood cancer and TLC’s services.

Participants pay a minimum donation of R10 on Quicket, take a photo of their wacky outfit, sharing this and a message they can copy and paste on social media, and tagging CANSA. They can challenge others to join in and support CANSA TLC.

Meiring says it is not possible to separate emotional and practical support.

“One parent described how her family received a wheelchair after her child underwent multiple amputations, together with emotional support, food parcels and ‘so much love. Other mothers said how important it was to bring younger siblings along while caring for their child with cancer. Teens and young adults experience profound isolation when treatment separates them from their homes, friends, teachers and studies. For families facing the unimaginable, being able to remain together makes an enormous difference.”

She concludes, “Our responsibility is to recognise the young patient as a whole, supporting their family and community standing beside them.”

*2025/6 financial year

(For more information, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication at CANSA at email lbalona@cansa.org.za. Call 011 616 7662 or mobile 082 459 5230.)

Published: 31 August 2026 | Last Updated: 31 August 2026
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, Advocacy, CANSA Highlights, CANSA's Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) Programme, Media Releases & News, Types of cancer