Cape Town - Cape Town has rallied behind Junaid Arendse, a Mitchells Plain boy in need of special treatment for cancer.
Thanks to donations from generous Cape Times readers, friends, supporters and his school, Hazeldene Primary, R150 000 has been raised for his treatment.
A large chunk of the money was raised on Monday night, when four of the country’s top comedians put on a show for the 5-year-old that raked in about R60 000.
Junaid has stage four neuroblastoma, a type of cancer created from immature nerve cells which can originate anywhere in the body.
And while he underwent 16 sessions of chemotherapy at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital since the cancer was diagnosed in May last year, the treatment he received was no longer sufficient.
The money raised is going to his topotecan treatment, an expensive medication not available at any local public hospital. The initial trial sessions cost thousands.
His grandfather and legal guardian, Leonard Arendse, said Junaid has begun the oral form of topotecan and the family will be at hospital tomorrow to see if it has worked.
On Monday, comedians Kurt Schoonraad, Marc Lottering, Stuart Taylor and Nik Rabinowitz put on a show in aid of Junaid, called Stand Up For Junaid, at the Cape Town Comedy Club.
At the show, Junaid was the centre of attention and a handful for his family, running up and down stairs, and greeting those who had come out to support him.
As each of the comedians arrived, they were introduced to the young boy, who is bald, with some receiving high fives, and others getting shy looks.
Schoonraad said he had been “blown away” when he met Junaid.
“The ou is kwaai. I was doing funny faces and he was imitating me. He has a great sense of humour,” Schoonraad said.
Schoonraad said tickets were sold out the morning of the show, with others calling to donate money if they could not attend.
“It’s amazing the response we got. This proves that people will come out for a good cause and it is humbling. I think we’re all emotionally invested in this and I was honoured to be involved. The guys are a fantastic bunch and with world-class comedians with big hearts,” Schoonraad said.
Leonard Arendse said the family is hopeful that Thursday would bring good news and were overwhelmed by the support they had received.
Cape Times