High School rugby team go the extra mile to support their coach and his girlfriend’s stage 4 cancer fight!
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (30 April 2022) – The entire Durban High School “Alma Mater” rugby team shaved their heads to show their support for their coach’s girlfriend, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
Lyle Matthysen – a rugby coach at Durban High School – shared the story about his team going the extra mile for Candice Herbst, the love of his life and also a teacher at Northlands Primary School.
Born and raised in Durban North, this fit and healthy mother of two beautiful children – aged 11 and 13 – is a Grade six educator at an established local senior primary school. Herbst is a well-known member of the community.
“Just days before Christmas in December 2021, I received the devastating news that I had been diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. This first started in my colon and has spread to my liver and lungs. In early January, my chemotherapy treatment regime began. I have now completed eight of the twelve prescribed rounds.
After the last round of scans and tests, the results were not as positive as my family, and I had hoped for. My oncologist has now proposed a drastic new treatment route which needs to commence immediately.”
Matthysen says that the team took the wind out of his sails this week.
“As they have caught onto the news about Candice and her fight with cancer, they took it upon themselves to show a sign of support and make a statement by shaving their heads. No one had any idea, just them, just their sign showing that they are also part of the thousands behind you.”
And while this is against School’s policy for hair, an exception was made for them due to the purpose and power of their action.
The coach says that it is truly more than just a High School, and these are the leaders – Gentlemen – still being produced year in and year out. Some of the team members also donated financially to the cause.
“Needless to say, a tear or two might have been shared by me – none in front of them, of course! Cands, DHS is also behind you.”
In April, a BackaBuddy campaign was launched to help Herbst pay for her treatment.
“In order for Candice to focus on her fight against cancer, she needs to have the stress of her financial worries relieved. This is where you, her valued family and friends, come in!
We would all like to support Candice in the best way possible, and she is already so grateful for all the extensive love that has been shown to her in countless ways. One more way we can now support her is to provide her with this financial security she so needs. Providing this security means that Candice can focus her energy and attention on healing.”
The fund has raised nearly R200,000 in just ten days, but this is still a long way from the amount needed.
To help Herbst in her fight, click here.
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