Family ‘overwhelmed’ by R50 000 raised to help their boy

SUPPORT: Junaid Arendse is surrounded (from left) by his grandmother Margaret Arendse, aunt Felicia Lesueur and his mother Monique as he entertains himself at Red Cross Children's Hospital. Photo: Courtney Africa

SUPPORT: Junaid Arendse is surrounded (from left) by his grandmother Margaret Arendse, aunt Felicia Lesueur and his mother Monique as he entertains himself at Red Cross Children's Hospital. Photo: Courtney Africa

Published Jun 16, 2015

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Lisa Isaacs

THANKS to donations from generous Cape Times readers, friends and supporters, R50 000 has been raised for Junaid Arendse’s cancer treatment.

Last week, the Cape Times reported that five-year-old Junaid has stage-four neuroblastoma; a type of cancer created from immature nerve cells which can originate anywhere in the body.

Yesterday Junaid was back in hospital for a check-up.

Margaret Arendse, his grandmother and legal guardian, said doctors had given Junaid three months to live.

And while he underwent 16 sessions of chemotherapy at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital since the cancer was found in May last year, the treatment was no longer sufficient.

The family had begun fund-raising for topotecan, an expensive type of chemotherapy which is not available at any public hospital. The initial four-trial sessions will cost R19 000.

“The family is overwhelmed. We didn’t expect this reaction. To the school, churches and sponsors, everyone who donated, thank you for your support,” said his grandfather Leonard Arendse.

Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo also reached out to the family in a letter of support.

Arendse said community groups and churches also reached out to offer their support, if not with money, with toys and well wishes.

The Arendses live in Portlands in Mitchells Plain.

“We will fetch his medication from a pharmacy in Canal Walk, then he will start the treatment,” said Arendse. “He will start with the four sessions to see if his body responds.”

“We are hopeful the medication will help, but there is no guarantee of that. We must just watch that he does not pick up any infections or germs.”

Hazeldene Primary School principal Matthew Blaauw said the school had raised R2 500 for Junaid’s treatment.

“He (Junaid) motivates us. The family sends him to school so he can feel normal, and while he is here he is a ball of energy,” he said.

Blaauw explained that Junaid, often tasked with bringing notices to different teachers around the school, was intelligent and confident.

“He speaks well and is a bright boy. He has inspired and unified us to stand behind him. He is a special boy.”

If anyone is able to help Junaid, contact Leonard Arendse on 072 450 5919, to donate money, the family’s bank details are Standard Bank, account number: 274968142; type: Puresave Savings account; branch code: 025009.

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