Junaid won't back down from fight for his life

Junaid Arendse and his mom, Monique

Junaid Arendse and his mom, Monique

Published Feb 20, 2017

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Cape Town - Meet the Cape Flats’ toughest little fighter who just won’t back down from the fight for his life.

Three weeks ago, doctors told the family of seven-year-old cancer patient, Junaid Arendse, that the illness had spread in his body and that the child would “not live beyond the next two weeks”.

But on Sunday, the lively little boy showed no signs of slowing down, and his grandmother Margaret Arendse is calling it a miracle.

The Portlands, Mitchells Plain, boy has stage 4 neuroblastoma, which has proven resistant to chemotherapy.

The brave boy crept into people’s hearts last year and Capetonians lent a helping hand, including local comedians who held a show to raise funds for his medical costs.

Arendse said that three weeks ago, Junaid complained of a hip pain and they took him to Red Cross Children’s Hospital on Sunday, January 29.

“The doctor examined him and admitted him to hospital the same day,” said the grandmother.

“On the Wednesday, Junaid had a full body scan and his doctor said there was nothing more they could do for him.

“They told us the cancer had spread from his legs to his stomach and that he has two to three weeks left to live. We cried because this news was shocking.

“But because we [myself and his grandfather] are pastors, we took him to church and had him anointed.

“A prophet prayed for him and prophesied that he will live to reach 60 years old.”

On Sunday, Junaid was speeding up and down his street on his bicycle.

The boy’s mother, Monique Arendse, 27, has for the first time broken her silence.

“I wake up every morning in fear that he won’t wake up next to me again,” the mom said.

“Every time he sees me cry, he says ‘mummy, don’t cry I’m still going to live long’.

“His father is currently in prison, but I know they will meet again when he is released next month.”

Western Cape health department spokesman, Darren Francis, could not confirm the hospital's prognosis, but said: “I can confirm that Junaid Arendse is a long-standing patient of Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Oncology Unit and is currently receiving quality palliative care.

“The hospital has, and will continue, to provide the patient and his family with the necessary assistance, both medical and spiritual support, ensuring best quality of life.

“Discussions between doctor and patient are confidential and we cannot disclose such information in the media.”

Daily Voice

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