This family is clinging to hope and the precious value of time after learning of their oupa’s cancer diagnosis. The family’s appeal is a call for compassion, a request to help them give their oupa a fighting chance to share more laughter and hugs with the children who adore him.
Pretoria, South Africa (18 February 2025) – The profound impact that a loving grandparent can have on us is sometimes hard to articulate into words but can truly be felt as a warm presence in our souls coupled with fond memories that never really leave us, even well after they’ve left us.
Hoping to have her father, fondly known as Oupa Abie, live a little longer to create lasting memories with her children, is the founder of the 911 4 kidZ non-profit organisation, Anandi Gouws.
The past year has been one of heartbreak and hardship for the family as the children lost their one grandfather, and soon after, Anandi’s son was diagnosed with kidney cancer.
“Thankfully, he is now in remission but before we could catch our breath, we were dealt another devastating blow.
“Their only remaining grandfather has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, which has spread and is considered inoperable,” Anandi shares.
The family reached out to a specialist at the Urology Hospital in Pretoria, who is willing to try to give Oupa Abie more time, despite the grim diagnosis.
He is scheduled for a bilateral orchiectomy on 19 February, a procedure that could help slow the cancer’s progression and improve his quality of life.
“Unfortunately, he has no medical aid, and the cost of the surgery, along with essential medications that government facilities do not provide, is beyond our means.
“With me having left my job to care for our son and my husband being the sole provider, we are already doing everything we can to support my father-in-law from abroad, but the financial strain is overwhelming,” Anandi explains.
At the heart of this plea is a simple and beautiful desire to create more lasting memories with Oupa and his grandchildren.
The greater public can help give Oupa and this family a fighting chance by donating to the official BackaBuddy page.
“Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference. Please help us give him a fighting chance,” Anandi kindly appeals.
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