When Kyle Wright walked into the hospital for his final radiotherapy session, he had no idea he’d be leaving in a blaze of sirens, flashing lights and the kind of love that moves grown adults to tears.
KwaZulu-Natal South Africa (07 May 2025) – When Kyle Wright arrived at Netcare Parklands Hospital for what he thought would be his final radiotherapy session, he was met not just with well wishes but sirens, cheers, cupcakes, and the ultimate surprise: a full-on Netcare 911 ambulance parade in his honour.
Kyle is 33 years old. He was born with cerebral palsy. And just a few weeks ago, he completed a month of radiation treatment for testicular cancer. But this is not a story about illness. It’s a story about joy, compassion, and an unshakable passion for life… and for Netcare 911.
His story with the emergency medical team goes way back. At 16, Kyle had to be rushed by ambulance from Howick to Netcare St Anne’s Hospital. Even through the pain, he specifically asked for one thing: “Please put the siren on.” Since that day, he’s been Netcare 911’s biggest fan.
His mom, Anthea, puts it best: “All he wanted at 20 was a Netcare 911 uniform. And even though those aren’t normally given out, they kindly made him an honorary suit. He keeps it in perfect condition—it’s one of his most treasured possessions.”
Kyle’s warmth and kindness became infectious throughout his radiation therapy. Every day, his mom would drive him from Amanzimtoti to the hospital. Every day, Kyle would walk in with a smile and often a rose, picked fresh from his grandmother’s garden, along with a handwritten note to brighten someone else’s day. That’s just who he is.
“Every time Kyle set foot in the unit, his kindness and positivity just lit up the waiting room,” says radiotherapist Dristi Bramdeo. “We all looked forward to seeing him.”
That energy didn’t go unnoticed. So when Kyle completed his course of radiation therapy, the team decided they needed to do something more than the traditional bell-ringing ceremony. Radiotherapy oncology administrator Reshma Naidoo reached out to Netcare 911’s regional operations manager, Shaun Paul, to see if they could do something special. What happened next was bigger than anyone expected.
On the 17th of April, the hospital’s radiotherapy department hosted a colourful farewell party for Kyle, snacks, cupcakes, cool drinks and decorations. But the real magic moment was a full convoy of Netcare 911 ambulances and response vehicles pulled into the parking lot, lights flashing and sirens wailing.
Then came the ride.
“Dressed in his Netcare 911 flight suit, Kyle sat in the front passenger seat, beaming,” recalls Paul. “We drove him around the hospital with sirens on full blast. His smile said it all. It gave everyone a lift.”
It was a celebration of Kyle. Of his spirit. Of his roses. Of his never-ending love for the people he meets. It was a thank you, returned.
Anthea summed it up perfectly: “The gratitude we have as a family is immeasurable. Everyone who has supported Kyle—especially the Hopelands Cancer Centre, the Radiotherapy Department at Netcare Parklands Hospital, and the Netcare 911 team—your care is just phenomenal.”
And for Kyle, who has faced cancer with the same joy and gentleness that makes strangers family and ambulance crews lifelong heroes, the farewell wasn’t just a goodbye. It was a full-circle moment. Sirens on. Lights blazing. A reminder that kindness really does come full circle.
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