How a group of cyclists and a community of caregivers continue to turn grief into light.
At CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA, hope takes many forms, a ride, a hug, a shared meal, or the quiet courage to keep going. This November, as CHOC reflects on remembrance, legacy, and healing, stories intertwine: The CHOC Cows and CHOC’s Emotional Support Programme. Together, they remind us that while grief takes courage, no one should walk that road alone.
The CHOC Cows: From Heartbreak to Hope
In 2008, eight passionate cyclists joined Kerrin and Grant Bain to honour their daughter Jessica, raising R230,000 for CHOC in their first ride. What began as a simple gesture of love grew into The CHOC Cows, a national movement that has since raised tens of millions to support children, teenagers and families facing childhood cancer.
Seventeen years later, The CHOC Cows continue to embody CHOC’s mission of courage and compassion. Their signature cow print, born from a light-hearted beginning, has become a symbol of community, remembrance, and unwavering spirit.
“The Cows remind us that even the deepest grief can become a force for good,” says Hedley Lewis, CEO of CHOC. “They’ve transformed heartache into hope for thousands of families across South Africa.”
Behind every diagnosis lies a family forever changed. CHOC’s Emotional Support Programme provides counselling, bereavement care, remembrance events, and community healing spaces for families who have lost a child or teen to cancer.
Through this programme, CHOC’s psychosocial team helps families navigate grief with dignity, compassion, and ongoing support, ensuring that no parent ever feels alone in their journey.
“Our role doesn’t end when treatment does,” says Antonella Swanepoel, CHOC’s Business Development Unit Manager. “We walk alongside families through every chapter, from diagnosis to healing, helping them rebuild through love and connection.”
As CHOC honours The Cows and every family touched by childhood cancer, the message is clear: hope doesn’t end, it evolves.
Throughout November, CHOC holds Remembrance Services across the country to honour the children and teenagers whose light continues to guide us. Families, friends, and supporters are also invited to purchase a CHOC Candle and light it in memory of a loved one, a small act of reflection that keeps hope burning bright.
“Every flame represents a name, a life, and a legacy,” says Lawrence Mbanyane – Psychosocial Support Services Manager. “When we light a candle, we remind each other that love lives on and that no one carries grief alone.”
This November, CHOC invites South Africans to remember, reflect, and give hope to others.
