Hundreds of people have united to help Vusi Mubika fight his cancer and regain his strength; today, the young Zimbabwean man has his smile back!
Cape Town, South Africa (19 July 2022) – Dominique Demetriades and Caitlin Aadnesgaard reached out to Good Things Guy a year ago, to share Vusimusi Mubika’s heartbreaking story. The young Zimbabwean man had faced so much pain and was in desperate need of support in fighting off his cancer.
The ladies launched a crowdfund to get him the medical help he needed, and now, a full year since his story was featured, Vusimusi is getting the treatment he deserves!
Vusimusi, who goes by Vusi, had been suffering from cancer in his mouth that had gradually gotten worse. He was diagnosed with a very aggressive Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Skin cancer is not usually fatal and can be treated if found early enough. Left to its own devices, cancer can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious complications. When Vusi first noticed the little sore in his mouth, he sought out medical attention. He was prescribed everything from Panado to an anti-psychotic during the diagnosis period. Eventually, once arriving in South Africa, he was correctly diagnosed with cancer.
Dominique and Caitlin launched a crowdfund to get him private treatment as it was clear Vusi had fallen through the cracks within the South African medical system too. After sharing his story, many people got involved to make a difference in his life and to try to put an end to his suffering.
Peter van Doesburgh recently shared an update about Vusi that left us in tears. Clara, Vusi’s mother, works for Peter and his wife Ashleigh as a nanny for their children. The Doesburgh’s and friends helped get Vusi to South Africa so he could get the medical treatment needed.
Vusi got the radiation and chemo he needed, and while treatment was gruelling, he started to return to the happy young man he was before his illness took over his life. It wasn’t all easy, though; despite already being underweight from not being able to eat, Vusi lost around 30kg, and eight of his teeth had to be removed. He was also left with a hole at the top of his mouth that will need surgery in time.
Vusi and his mother, Clara moved to Cape Town with Peter and Ashleigh, where he is now getting treated at the Groote Schuur Academic Hospital. His treatment has been incredible, and many of the time-sensitive health concerns that lapsed in Gauteng have been quickly addressed.
Since losing his teeth, Vusi was sponsored replacements, and today, he is able to smile with a full set once again. The plate not only replaces his missing teeth but also covers the hole in his pallet while his doctor works on a surgical solution. He is now able to eat and speak again.
This is all such wonderful news and accomplished thanks to so many generous donors. Vusi is not out of the woods yet; he still has to find out about his cancer and where it stands, but he is already back to his old self, and that is what counts most!
Peter took the time to thank every person that has been involved in Vusi’s care so far.
“Clara, you’re a monumental mother figure.
Ash, you’ve never given up hope and I doubt Vusi would be alive still today if it weren’t for you.
My sister Dee for initiating the first crowdfund and to all of our close friends that donated
Dominique Demetriades you’ve come in and helped and supported Clara Financially and spiritually when you’ve never needed to. Angels exist!
To the hundreds of people that donated on the backabuddy page
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital for all of the kind nurses that helped Vusi through radiation treatment
Groote Schuur Hospital for the continual incredible and welcoming service
University Of Western Cape Dental Faculty for their outstanding service and for Dr LJ Brown and the professors.
The Reach For A Dream Foundation for giving him some hope when times were truly tough”
Updates come in regularly, and you can follow along on Facebook. There is so much hope and support for Vusi; if you would like to join his support system, you can donate via the BackaBuddy here.
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