Cancer

CJ Carrington has put her blood, sweat and tears into protecting the wildlife of South Africa, even when she was battling breast cancer! She sought out state care as every cent she gets, goes back to the wildlife.

 

CJ Carrington is a woman of many wonderful traits, she is passionate about protecting wildlife and is a pretty great writer too! She has been undergoing cancer treatment at a state hospital because of her work with wildlife.

She previously shared a very helpful and handy guide to surviving cancer treatment at a state hospital with Good Things Guy. It was very well received and many readers were grateful for the tips. While undergoing all this, she continued to work and fund wildlife rehabilitation programmes through the Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation.

The cause is incredibly close to her heart and one she puts above all else. In the past, we have shared stories about her helping to set endangered and vulnerable vultures free, saving a baby leopard from the hunting trade and releasing fully grown leopards into the last wild parts of South Africa and these are just the public knowledge stories.

What may shock people is that not only is she this wildlife warrior, she too has a soft spot for children. While receiving state treatment she found a mother with a young child knocking on death’s door. The child had a massive tumour on his head and neck. Unable to watch the sweet child suffer, she worked to get him private treatment and he is now living a healthier life. Full details of this story are still being written up and will be published in a few weeks.

Oncology treatment in South Africa is in crisis. Government officials have been urged to address the situation but until then, many people are left to figure it out alone. Which is what makes CJ such a hero, she shares her experiences in the hopes that it can truly help those in need.

Her own battle, as she likes to call “The Boob Wars”, has been filled with trying times. Once diagnosed, they found that 50% of her lymph nodes tested positive for cancer. She had a mastectomy and was left to wait on a list for radiation. Fearing she would get worse, CJ crowdfunded the money to pay for her treatment.

Her surgery and radiation treatment has had an adverse effect on the mobility of her arm. This means that she could lose the function of her arm which would prevent her from effectively working as a wildlife warrior.

As a result of surgery and radiation, there was severe damage to the nerves in my shoulder and arm. I need to see a Private Orthopedic Specialist ASAP or risk losing the use of my arm. With State, I will have to wait until end July, at which time the damage may have become permanent. I will need extensive rehabilitation to reverse the damage.

To avoid this from happening, CJ has started raising funds once again for private treatment. Her hope is to reverse the damage and save her arm. Her humble appeal for assistance, plus her love of making a difference, has inspired people to start donating.

While many can only do a little, they are making a big difference in her life and for the future of wildlife in South Africa.

“I’m not here to convince you what a good and deserving person I am; there are many millions of people who are more deserving of your help than I am. All I can do is ask. Your help will change my life.” 

You can check out her campaign here.


Sources: BackaBuddy
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About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

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