The responsibility rests with patients to contact CANSA for assistance. Read more...
Stories of Hope
Read about our cancer Survivors’ journeys as they cope with cancer and be inspired and encouraged. See posts below.
Share Your Story with Us
Your story as a cancer Survivor (anyone who has heard the words “you have cancer”) or as a loved one, or caregiver of someone affected by cancer, can be of great encouragement to others.
Share your experience and join our support groups on Facebook.
*CANSA reserves the right not to publish your story if content is inappropriate, and to edit copy – you will receive the link to your story per email and can ask for edits to be made. The turn-around time for a story to be published is 5 work days. Queries may be sent to info@cansa.org.za
Read more stories of Hope here:
- CANSA website – share your story
- Shavathon website – share your story
- Relay For Life website – share your story
Video: CANSA Stoma Support Featuring Faizel Jacobs Cancer Survivor
Faizel Jacobs, cancer Survivor, with support from CANSA and stoma nurses, is able to live life to the full…
Read morePublished: 13 March 2018 | Last Updated: 10 March 2021
Categories: I have Cancer, Stories of Hope
Nikki Overcomes Malignant Melanoma at 25
In my ignorance, I believed skin cancer was a white person’s disease. Never had I heard of a black person having such a diagnosis…
Read morePublished: 29 November 2017 | Last Updated: 9 March 2021
Categories: Stories of Hope, SunSmart
Tracy Maritz Believes Melanoma Caused by Use of Sunbeds
Tracy, who has fair skin and freckles, believes that the 20 sunbed sessions she did prior to her honeymoon, possibly caused her melanoma. Says Tracy, “A killer tan IS a KILLER tan!” If she could turn back the clock, she would.
Read morePublished: 12 December 2016 | Last Updated: 9 March 2021
Categories: Stories of Hope, SunSmart
Breast Cancer Survivor & CANSA Volunteer Says Cancer is Not a Death Penalty
Myra is a CANSA Volunteer and visits cancer patients at their homes, offering them support. Says Myra, “I explain to them that I also had cancer and that they are not alone on this road.” She urges anyone who detects a problem with their breasts to get tested. Not everyone may have the patience to sit at the day hospital all day, she concedes, but that one day could save their life. Read more…
Read morePublished: 28 November 2016 | Last Updated: 9 March 2021
Categories: Stories of Hope, Volunteers Inspire, Women's Health
KANSA Vrywilliger Phoebe Appies Maak dit Haar Missie om Ander oor Kanker in te Lig
Phoebe Appies is reeds twee jaar vry van borskanker en maak dit haar missie om ander oor hierdie siekte en ook ander kanker in te lig. Sy is ’n vrywilliger vir KANSA en sy wil die stigma rondom bors- en ander kankers breek.
Read morePublished: 13 October 2016 | Last Updated: 9 March 2021
Categories: Stories of Hope, Volunteers Inspire, Women's Health
Coping with Breast Cancer in a Foreign Country
Debby Botes, breast cancer Survivor, shares her story: I lost my Mom on the 13th September 2006. Exactly two weeks later on the 27th September 2006, I lost my Dad. I had not experienced the loss of a loved one and this situation did not allow me to mourn my Mom and then my Dad […]
Read morePublished: 13 October 2016 | Last Updated: 9 March 2021
Categories: Stories of Hope, Women's Health
October 2016: Breast Cancer Survivor Candice Shares Daily Blog to Inspire
Each day for the month of October, Candice Fehrsen, breast cancer Survivor, will share a post on her blog in order to encourage those who have been newly diagnosed and their loved ones. Follow her journey from operating table to present day…
Read morePublished: 8 October 2016 | Last Updated: 9 March 2021
Categories: Stories of Hope, Women's Health
Kidney Cancer – Stories of Hope
Mark Walter is 66 years old and lives in Amanzimtoti, South Africa with his wife, Odette, the most important person in his journey. The Walters have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. When facing a diagnosis of cancer, Mark recommends that a strong faith, strong partner, and a strong family unit are needed, as well as […]
Read morePublished: 10 March 2016 | Last Updated: 4 June 2024
Categories: Stories of Hope
Video Interviews: Cancer Survivors’ Diaries
Whether you have recently been diagnosed with cancer or whether you are a veteran who has undergone the rigours of treatment, or if you are now in remission, CANSA considers you a cancer Survivor. Survivors share about their cancer journey in the following video clip: Find online support resources for cancer Survivors and contact your local […]
Read morePublished: 15 October 2015 | Last Updated: 11 March 2021
Categories: I have Cancer, Stories of Hope
School Principal Claims Victory Over Cancer Each & Every Day
On the day he resumed his duties as the head of Ferrum High, Wynand Swanepoel spent the morning trying to prepare mentally to tackle the stresses of the job while staying focused on his recovery. He had returned to work after a year of treatment for multiple myeloma, a debilitating cancer of the blood plasma […]
Read morePublished: 13 October 2015 | Last Updated: 19 January 2018
Categories: Stories of Hope
Mark Curlewis Survives Testicular Cancer at 30
Marc Curlewis was looking forward to celebrating his 30th birthday. After all, one only hits the big ‘three-oh’ once. However, five days before his birthday, he received devastating news. The Diagnosis Marc had been experiencing some discomfort in his right testicle and decided to go and get it checked out. At first, his doctor thought […]
Read morePublished: 30 September 2015 | Last Updated: 9 July 2025
Categories: Men's Health, Stories of Hope
Mark Pilgrim – Testicular Cancer Survivor
While he is probably better known for being that “radio and TV guy”, Mark is also known for being a cancer survivor. At the age of 18, he had stage 4 testicular cancer, which spread to his lungs and kidneys. Mark remembers the oncologist at the time telling him that the prognosis was “uncertain” and […]
Read morePublished: 29 September 2015 | Last Updated: 17 June 2025
Categories: Men's Health, Stories of Hope
Teen Cancer Survivor Will Not Let Life Pass Him By
They say that life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. Many of us find ourselves rushing from place to place, planning all the things we need to do and never having time to appreciate the beauty around us. Or we allow the special moments with family, friends, or our experiences […]
Read morePublished: 26 August 2015 | Last Updated: 10 March 2021
Categories: CANSA's Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) Programme, Stories of Hope
My Inspiration to Survive
I have got my Mom by my side and the Lord in my heart…. – written by Byron Frank Ball (13 November 2014): My name is Byron Ball, I’m twenty-five years old. This is my story and I hope it can inspire others. I moved to the UK in March of 2010. I lived in […]
Read morePublished: 26 August 2015 | Last Updated: 2 June 2025
Categories: Stories of Hope
Colorectal Cancer Survivor Millicent Says to Never Give Up Hope
For almost nine months, Millicent Mulelu, had been in and out of hospital with constant abdominal pains accompanied by chronic diarrhoea. In September 2004 she received the devasting news that she had colorectal cancer. Read her inspirational story…
Read morePublished: 28 March 2015 | Last Updated: 4 June 2024
Categories: Stories of Hope
Oorwinning – ‘n Gedig deur Magdaleen Goosen
Oorwinning Met so baie seer, Wat niemand kon keer, Alles was buite beheer, Help my Liewe Heer! Dag vir dag, Nag vir nag, Geen pyn, Dis waarvoor ek smag, Eendag op ‘n slag, Waarheen is my mag? Stap vir stap, Tree vir tree, So neem ek beheer, Hier is Jy Liewe Heer, Jy dra my, […]
Read morePublished: 12 December 2014 | Last Updated: 12 December 2014
Categories: Stories of Hope
CANSA letter to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
You have taught us to raise our hands – to move our hands – and to look at our hands. It was with amazement that we noticed that our hands were of different colours representing different people. You then taught us that the different colours make us the Rainbow People of God. You have served as an inspiration […]
Read morePublished: 10 December 2014 | Last Updated: 19 January 2018
Categories: Stories of Hope
Former Two Oceans Champ & Survivor Educating his Community
Prostate Cancer Survivor, Thulani Sibisi, who will be supporting CANSA at the upcoming Soweto Marathon, is joining the fight against cancer by taking education to his community. “We have to start something to educate people,” says Sibisi. As a former Two Oceans Marathon winner, he prided himself in being fit and healthy, but when he […]
Read morePublished: 30 October 2014 | Last Updated: 9 July 2025
Categories: Men's Health, Stories of Hope
Breast Cancer for Her 60th – Petra Nortje’s Story of Hope
Petra was introduced to CANSA by a very good friend of hers, Sanet, a CANSA employee, and became a leader CANSA Volunteer, assisting with marketing, event planning, patient support and fundraising. Read more…
Read morePublished: 7 October 2014 | Last Updated: 4 June 2024
Categories: Stories of Hope, Volunteers Inspire, Women's Health
Prostate Cancer Survivor Mike Becomes Movember Navigator
Meet Mike Mitchell, a prostate cancer Survivor. He’s proud that he beat prostate cancer ten years ago and is still cancer free. Today, he devotes his life to creating awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment, so that other men can make it through like he did.
Read morePublished: 27 September 2014 | Last Updated: 17 June 2025
Categories: Men's Health, Stories of Hope, Volunteers Inspire
To All ‘Lion Hearts’ Out There Fighting Cancer
Daniel Baron, popular South African singer & songwriter, shares a personal message of encouragement to all children fighting cancer, below: We all have people that inspire us in our lives. My cousin, Matthew de Klerk, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 3. He fought it until he was 14. A couple of weeks […]
Read morePublished: 16 September 2014 | Last Updated: 12 July 2021
Categories: CANSA's Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) Programme, Stories of Hope
