Nina Fought Back Against Breast Cancer with an Incredible "Spray-A-Thon"

Photo Credit: Supplied

First, she witnessed her nanny go through a tough battle with breast cancer. Then her world was turned upside down when her mother was thrust into the very same battle. Moved to stand in solidarity with them and other warriors, Grade 6 learner Nina Venter rallied her school community to host an incredible spray-a-ton fundraiser.

Boston, South Africa (30 October 2025) – Sometimes an idea starts not with a grand vision, but with a simple, unavoidable truth.

For the Venter family, and for their daughter Nina, that truth arrived twice. First, they experienced their nanny, Patience Maghondo, navigate the difficult and often frustrating journey of breast cancer treatment without the support of medical aid.

“We saw her strength, but we also saw the struggle. Then, on April 4th of this year, the fight became personal in a new way when my wife, Marlize, was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Pastor Peet Venter shares with Good Things Guy.

Seeing the same battle fought on two different fronts, one with medical aid and one without, made the disparity in healthcare access starkly clear.

“As a runner, I often wear gear from ILoveBoobies, an organisation that promotes early cancer detection,” says Peet.

For his daughter Nina, seeing those pink shirts and socks around the house was no longer just about awareness; it was a call to action. She decided she needed to do something tangible to bridge that gap for others.

The Spray-a-thon Pitch

The first step was the hardest. Nina, a Grade 6 learner at Laerskool Totius in Boston, had to stand up in front of the entire school during an assembly meeting.

She laid out her plan for a spray-a-thon, explaining why it mattered and asking for her school’s help. It was a daunting moment for any child, but her conviction was clear, and the school listened.

A Community in Action

The response was immediate and wholehearted! The planning was set in motion, and on the day of the spray-a-thon, 17 October, the school grounds transformed.

Nicky Webb, a director from “I Love Boobies,” came to speak to the Grade 4-7 learners about the foundation’s work, bringing stickers and temporary tattoos that were an instant hit.

The team from Cancercare Cape Gate, where Nina’s mom is receiving treatment, generously sponsored pink drinks for everyone and brought their own spray cans to help manage the hundreds of kids lined up to get their hair colored.

“The day before the event, our fundraising total stood at R12,000. That’s when our headmaster, Mr Hendrik Bester, posted a video on social media with a challenge: if we could push the total to R14,000, he would shave his head,” explains Peet.

That challenge ignited a final surge of support.

“When we tallied the donations the next day, the result was overwhelming. The Laerskool Totius community hadn’t just met the goal; they had shattered it! A total of R22,000 was raised.”

A Promise Fulfilled

True to his word, Mr Bester took his seat in front of the cheering students (shown in the title image). In a fitting end to the story she started, Nina was given the honour of wielding the clippers.

The moment her headmaster’s hair fell away, it was clear that this was more than just a fundraiser. It was proof of what a small school in Boston, driven by a student’s quiet determination, could accomplish. It was a story about community, courage, and turning a difficult truth into a powerful act of hope.