Page 30 - The Villager August 2021

Today’s Child

kEEping morE than hopE alivE

During the National Lockdown, the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA
continued to keep their programmes running. Their houses have remained
open and their Social Workers have continued to provide the various
programmes in the Paediatric Oncology Wards.

he CHOC Childhood Cancer
Foundation (CHOC) is the only
Torganisation that provides
comprehensive countrywide support
for children with cancer and other
life-threatening blood disorders.
They also provide support for the
families. The organisation’s holistic
approach includes emotional support
in the hospital wards, from diagnosis
onwards, and practical support ranging
from accommodation, transport, care
bags and basic nutritional support.
Without CHOC’s aid, many children
– particularly those from low income
families living far from treatment centres
– would not be able to access, or adhere
to, the necessary but arduous treatment
cycle, which can last over three years.
The economic situation in which we
find ourselves means that there is a
large percentage of individuals who are
currently unemployed or temporarily
without income. It is this reality that
many families are facing and the
Coronavirus has greatly increased the
needs of many families. There has been
a significant increase in the demand
for some of CHOC’s services, especially
accommodation, food parcels,
bereavement support and transport
funds.
It is at this moment that CHOC’s
essential services are needed more This is Seth’s story as told by his mom, Melissa. It’s
than ever. “We need to ensure that the
children are safe, have a place to stay about his life and his journey, on a path filled with
while attending treatment and that the
parents and caregivers are relieved of light, with grace and a kind of hope that lasts.
the financial stress of having to provide
food, protection, accommodation and As I have moved through my life, I married. My first son. The day the twins,
support to their sick child and other have accumulated a number of ‘best Zach and Seth, were born.
family members,” says a spokesperson days of my life’. There are regular things, This was Seth’s first fight, which he
for CHOC. like the day I graduated. The day I got won. Born grey and almost lifeless at

28 • Issue 8 2021 • The Villager