Sandi Pitchers Keel was diagnosed with a rare cancer; to beat the loss of her hair, Sandi cut it off to donate to CANSA for wigs.
Johannesburg, South Africa (20 April 2022) – Sandi Pitchers Keel, 58-years old, affectionately known as ‘DirtBarbie’, has always taken life by the horns and knows a thing or two about endurance and the road less travelled. Now she is taking on her greatest challenge, fighting a rare form of cancer!
For the last 18 years, Sandi has been a member of the motorcycling community, racing 1000cc superbikes, taking on national Supermoto, enduro, cross-country and a bit of MX racing, and she even conquered the legendary KTM 500.
“Sandi is a very strong-willed and self-determined individual. She has nerves of steel which is a great attribute for her riding adventures. She strongly believes in justice for all and is willing to help anyone when she can. Even though she does not have much she is always the first to put her hand in her pocket to help someone in need.” says her sister, Tracy
Her life changed after she had an accident during recent travels. On 17 December 2021, while travelling through the Eastern and Western Cape, Sandi’s riding partner accidentally drove into the back of her bike just outside Gariep dam. Her injuries were manageable, and the bike needed some fixing, so she spent ten days recovering at her sister’s home in Jeffreys Bay. Once all was repaired, Sandi made her way home.
On 18 January 2022, exactly one month after her accident, Sandi was admitted to Mulbarton Hospital after a weekend spent coughing, vomiting, and eventually throwing up blood. She went through a whirlwind of medical issues, from swelling due to her drip to reacting badly to medicines that sent her into anaphylaxis. Doctors were working tirelessly to figure out what was wrong. She was transferred to the Donald Gordon Hospital on the 4th of February, 2022, where she underwent three debridement operations on her arm for the drip damage and a gastroscopy, which revealed an extensive infection from malnutrition.
It was only after doctors ran a series of blood tests that they realised the root of Sandi’s symptoms for which she was initially admitted. Sandi was finally diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Small Cell Carcinoma with Paraneoplastic Syndrome, a rare, aggressive cancer that started as lung cancer.
On the 16th of February 2022, ‘rebel heart’ on full display, Sandi snuck out of her bed after 30 days in hospital and met her sister Tracy in the parking lot to address the hair dilemma cancer posed. The pair made their getaway to IamBrett salon for virtue and not vanity, hellbent on transforming Sandi’s trademark platinum locks into a ‘short and sassy’ grey hairdo to create wigs for The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
“After having long blonde hair, which so many admired, it was indeed my crowning glory. I knew that the journey ahead would see me losing it, so I thought why waste it when it can be put to good use to help those cancer patients that need wigs for their cancer journeys. And so it was an easy decision to make.” – says Sandi.
Thanking the pit crew who facilitated the makeover, Sandi said it was one of the best experiences of her life and “something every girl has to do at least once in their lifetime.”
After dropping off her locks around the corner from the salon at CANSA, Sandi returned to the hospital in full glam, where she was met with mouths wide open.
“I was instantly forgiven my ‘misdemeanour’ of course they’d never had an AWOL patient before…but you know…with me around there will always be a first time” – says Sandi.
When Sandi was discharged from the hospital on the 18th of February, 2022, an oncologist told her that she had less than a year to live and that she should live her life to the fullest, ticking off her bucket list items she’s always wanted to do.
Not accepting the verdict and the low chance of survival she was given, Sandi sought a second opinion.
“When you give me limitations, I AM going to prove you wrong. Here’s a news flash, I don’t accept it, he isn’t the author of my destiny” – says Sandi.
After meeting with a cardiologist, Sandi was given the go-ahead for a specialised treatment recommended by medical and radiation oncologists.
She will undergo a severe treatment plan in the hopes of kicking this thing! Doctors have mapped out an extensive plan that consists of chemotherapy and 33 consecutive radiation sessions, which, if all goes well, should conclude on Friday, 16th May.
Unfortunately, the treatment does pose a risk to Sandi’s genetic heart condition, known as Marfan syndrome, which affects connective tissue. Radiation could dilate Sandi’s already enlarged aorta further, for which she will need to be monitored carefully.
In August, Sandi will have a series of check-ups to determine her progress and see how the treatment has worked.
Crowdfunding Treatment
To assist Sandi with the rollercoaster of expenses she is currently facing, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched on BackaBuddy, to appeal for public support, as Sandi is presently unemployed. You can find and support the campaign here.
Fortunately, Sandi does have medical aid and gap cover, but it’s all the expenses in between that she needs assistance with.
Unable to work due to being ill has made it difficult for Sandi to cover the cost of her medical aid, gap cover, the supplementals not covered by her medical insurance, fuel costs to and from treatments, as well as a stipend for her sister, who has given up her life in the Western Cape to care for Sandi during this time.
Since the campaign’s launch, over R87 500 has been raised with contributions from 53 generous donors.
“A humongous thank you to every one of you who has contributed to my cause. I cannot begin to explain the gratitude I have for all of you who have supported me. The outpouring of genuine love and encouragement has touched me at the core of my being and I am humbled. Some days tears slip out of my eyes when I think of you all and how you have helped me, my cup runneth over. May you all be blessed as you have blessed me.” – Sandi’s message to her supporters
You can watch Sandi’s hair journey below.
by 