A rare cancer diagnosis. Two babies under two. A young husband and dad battling cancer. Light shining through the darkness.
Pretoria, South Africa (23 January 2026) – Life isn’t going the way Esteé and her husband Jan-Hendrik had planned for their little family. Last year, at just 32 years old, Jan-Hendrik was diagnosed with stage 4 Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
“My husband is only 32 years old and is bravely fighting stage 4 Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that has turned our world upside down,” Esteé shared.
The diagnosis came only months after Jan-Hendrik took the biggest leap of faith to leave the safety of his employment to start his own business. They poured all their savings into it.
“He was diagnosed in September 2025, just months after taking a courageous leap of faith at the beginning of the year to start his own business – something we invested all our savings, hope, and dreams into,” explains Esteé. “We never imagined that so soon we would be facing the fight of his life.”
The young couple are parents to two little ones. Their son, Duan, is just 19 months old, and their daughter, Yante, was born on 1 December. Just a day before her dad had to start his fourth round of chemotherapy.
“What should have been a joyful time welcoming our baby was instead filled with hospital rooms, treatments, and overwhelming uncertainty,” says Esteé.
Despite fighting a battle that many of us can’t even bare to imagine, Jan-Hendrik keeps showing up. Even while in hospital, he works whenever his body allows it. He refuses to let cancer steal his spark and will to carry himself and his family.
Treatment is incredibly tough. Each cycle requires a week in hospital receiving chemotherapy, followed by two weeks at home. But because his immune system is so weak, infections often send him straight back to hospital. For the past five months, he has spent more time in hospital beds than in his own home.
“He has already endured six cycles of extremely intense chemotherapy, and although his body is exhausted, he still needs a bone marrow transplant to give him a chance at recovery,” Esteé shares.
With their savings in the business and his ability to work limited, the emotional and financial strain has been immense. Instead of focusing only on healing and being present for their babies, the family has been forced to worry about medical bills and daily expenses.
“Our focus should be on his healing and being present for our young children, but the weight of this journey is heavy,” says Esteé.
When the worry became too much to bear alone, she created an online fundraising campaign asking South Africans to stand with them.
The plea went live two days ago, and helpers have started to show up. Light is creeping in. The financial strain is starting to lift.
So far, the campaign has raised a remarkable 47% of the overall goal of R650,000 which the family needs to keep afloat. What did we tell you about the helpers? South Africa is full of them.
If you’d like to join the ranks, follow this link.
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