As we reach the halfway mark of the year, we’re filled with gratitude for the unwavering support you continue to show the children, teenagers and families we serve. We’re excited to unveil some brand-new merchandise, giving you more ways to get involved and show your support. With Mandela Day around the corner, don’t miss out on how you can make a difference through regional activities and wish list contributions.

From awareness and training highlights to ways you can connect with us and make a lasting impact, everything you need is right here. Let’s keep the momentum going — for hope, for healing, and every child or teenager with cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder.

This is Othalive

Othalive is a four-year-old little boy with the mindset and the determination of an adult!

Before being diagnosed with lymphoma, Othalive completed a whole treatment course for TB before being correctly diagnosed with lymphoma in September 2024. Despite his cancer being at stage four when diagnosed, he remains the most hilarious, positive, heartwarming and smartest little boy I’ve ever met.

Many times, he required ICU treatment, but as soon as he woke up, he would ask, “Mama, sizakuya nini e CHOCO?” which means “Mommy, when will we go to CHOC?”. He loves playing at the CHOC House and in the gardens.

After major surgery, Othalive suffered a stroke, which left him unable to speak. Still, he never gave up trying to greet everybody who passed by his bedside, always trying his best to say hello. With therapy from the hospital multi-disciplinary team at PE Provincial Hospital, he can now speak again!

One of the things that keeps him strong is the unwavering hope that his mother constantly shows. Her support, encouragement and her unconditional love give him the strength to keep going. She remains joyful, believing that nothing matters more than Othalive’s well-being.

After going through chemotherapy and surgery, today is the second day of radiation therapy for Othalive. He continues to show incredible strength, and we are all very proud of him. He and his mother remind us that hope truly changes everything.

Ayanda Msomi. House Supervisor CHOC Gqeberha

Celebrating Survivors Day

Seth Kruger, Childhood Cancer Survivor

This Survivors Day, we honour the strength, courage, and hope of those who have been diagnosed with cancer and continue to inspire us all. Watch this heartfelt tribute from Seth, a survivor, as he shares his message of resilience and solidarity with fellow survivors in our community, a reminder that every story of survival is a story of strength. Watch Seth’s message of hope here.

Make Every Minute Count This Mandela Day

Give what you can

This Mandela Day, let’s turn 67 minutes into something truly meaningful for children and teens fighting cancer. Whether it’s giving your time, skills, or a thoughtful donation, your contribution can make a lasting difference in their journey of hope and healing.

Every region has its own needs, and we’ve made it easy for you to get involved.

Click here to take a look at our regional wish lists to find a way that you can support CHOC because every act of care counts.

Together, we honour Madiba’s legacy by standing with children and families when they need it most.

From Bethlehem to Bojanala

Growing a Network of Informed Care

During May 2025, we trained 50 Community Healthcare Workers in Bethlehem, Free State. In the same week, we trained Primary Healthcare nurses representing some local Primary Healthcare facilities in the area, as well as a representative from the paediatric ward at Dihlabeng Hospital. Our first step is to train nurses at Primary Healthcare Clinics, then extend that knowledge to Community Healthcare Workers—building capacity from the ground up.

This June, we had the opportunity to train 21 Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) from Bojanala as facilitators within their local organisations. These participants led 15 THP groups across Rustenburg and Marikana, making their reach and influence especially meaningful.

The training focused on two key areas: understanding the Siluan Early Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer and developing facilitation skills for adults. Equipped with this knowledge, the THPs are now ready to take what they’ve learned back into their communities, helping raise awareness, spark early detection, and strengthen local health support.

As part of our ongoing partnership with the Sibanye Rustenburg Mine Development Trust, we recently trained nurses at the Andrew Saffy Memorial Hospital. The Chief Professional Nurse for Health and Wellness shared how this training will help support not just mine workers and their families, but the wider community that relies on the hospital.

Next up, we’ll be hosting CPD-accredited online training for doctors on 22 August 2025, continuing our commitment to strengthening local healthcare services.

CHOC Community Trainers have also been training in various parts of the country. In Mpumalanga, we reached 201 Healthcare Professionals and Healthcare Workers, in Gauteng 142 and KwaZulu-Natal 910.

Be a Childhood Cancer Hero

Make a Real Difference Today!

At CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, your monthly contribution brings hope, care, and vital support to children and teens diagnosed with cancer.

Every rand makes a difference:

• R200/Month sponsors local transport for hospital visits.
• R300/Month provides a CHOC Carebag for a newly diagnosed young child.
• R400/Month sponsors a CHOC Carebag for a newly diagnosed teen.
• R600/Month gives a child or teen and caregiver a safe place to stay during treatment.
• R650/Month delivers a food parcel to a desperate family in need.

Your generosity helps us keep more than hope alive.

It’s Tax Season!

Did you know that donating to CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA isn’t just kind—it’s tax-smart too?

With a Section 18A Certificate, your donations are tax-deductible.
Qualifying donations include:

• Cash donations
• Payroll giving
• Property in kind (e.g., food, medical supplies)

Don’t wait, donate, then complete the 18A request form and email your proof to bdu@choc.org.za.

Help kids and teens diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder AND get tax relief this season!

New Merchandise Now Available!

Our latest CHOC merch has just dropped, and it’s packed with love, purpose, and a touch of magic.
Every purchase helps bring smiles, support, and hope to children and teens diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder!


Click here to visit our online store!

Join us at one of our upcoming events: