Sisters unite across oceans as one battles cancer
Despite being on two separate continents, Eloise Erasmus has been supporting her sister in her fight against cancer. Now, Good Morning Angels has stepped in to help Cynthia Erasmus access the treatment she needs.
It's become a very South African reality: families scattered across the globe.
This is the case with the Erasmus sisters. Cynthia is in Polokwane and Eloise is in Perth, Australia, with another sister in the Northern Cape, and no other close family. They are each other’s support, no matter the distance.
So when 42-year-old Cynthia, a single mom to 18-year-old Ivan-Zane, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, Eloise mobilised a fundraiser to help her big sister afford medical treatment.
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Even though Cynthia has a full-time job, as a single mom, she's not able to afford medical aid. The treatment is tough, but it’s going well.
However, earlier this year, another diagnosis shocked the sisters – Cynthia also has cervical cancer.
The tumour, measuring 10cm by 7cm, is too large to remove surgically. Her oncologist has recommended three rounds of targeted chemotherapy to shrink the growth so it can be removed before it spreads.
Eloise describes Cynthia as her "rock" and "the strongest woman I know".
"She's been through so much and never gives up… she's all her son has. My sister is my best friend, my pillar of strength, and an amazing mother to her son."
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That's why Eloise wrote to Good Morning Angels, all the way from Perth, to help Cynthia.
REQUEST FOR: Cynthia Erasmus in Polokwane
REQUEST FROM: Eloise Erasmus in Perth
ANGEL: The Good Morning Angels Fund NPC
SPONSORING: The Good Morning Angels Fund will support Cynthia with R26,000 to cover the three chemotherapy sessions needed to shrink her tumour. In addition, we’ll top that up to R50,000 to help cover the cost of her surgery.
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Good day Angels,
I trust this email finds you well. I’m writing in the hope that someone can be my sister’s angel. She has been diagnosed with cervical cancer, which is growing rapidly. The tumour is already 10.7 cm and is pressing against her urethra, causing her immense pain and difficulty urinating.
She’s had blood tests to check how her kidneys are coping, and her oncologist informed her they are only functioning at 57%.
She has been told she must start chemotherapy immediately to shrink the tumour so that surgery is possible. She has received a quote of around R26,000 for the three chemotherapy sessions.
We’ve started a BackaBuddy campaign to try and raise funds, but it’s going slowly. Her oncologist has warned that time is not on her side, and if she doesn’t begin treatment soon, her body may not cope.
We are all incredibly worried. We've tried every avenue and keep hitting brick walls.
I’m really hoping Good Morning Angels can help raise the funds needed to start her treatment. I have attached the quote along with her biopsy results as proof.
My sister is my best friend, my pillar of strength, and an amazing mother to her son. Her name is Cynthia Erasmus and she currently lives in Polokwane.
I’m hoping and praying we can help her – just to give her more hope.
Thank you for the incredible work you do in the community. You’ve changed so many people’s lives and given hope to so many.
Best regards,
Eloise Erasmus
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Image: Supplied