Moved by a nine-year-old pupil’s bravest fight, dedicated teacher, Robyn Daniel, has gone above and beyond to help him. From actively seeking a bone marrow donor to running the challenging Comrades Marathon in his honour.
Benoni, South Africa (25 June 2025) – There are teachers who simply deliver lessons, and then there are those who go beyond the curriculum’s standard job requirements. Those that inspire, nurture and touch lives.
Robyn Daniel is a shining example of the latter. More than just a teacher at Ashton International College in Benoni, Robyn has been a source of incredible support for a Grade 3 pupil named Zishan Reddy in his brave fight against leukaemia.
Zishan was first diagnosed in October 2021 when he was just five years old.
“He fought and beat cancer and was cancer-free for three years. He lapsed in December 2024. The chemo treatments have been tough on his small body, but he is such a strong and courageous little boy, always positive,” Zishan’s mom, Goolshun Reddy, tells us.
Described as a typical boy who enjoys running around and playing with his friends, Robyn said she was moved to support Zishan upon learning about his condition and the challenges the family has endured over the past few years from his older sister, whom she teaches.
Robyn has since been instrumental in the search to find a bone marrow donor for Zishan. In addition to her efforts and crowdfunding campaign, she recently participated in her toughest Comrades Marathon yet, dedicating her run to young warrior Zishan.
“This year’s Comrades was probably the toughest of the seven I had previously completed. I am not sure why it felt so difficult this time around.
“The morning of the run, I had written Zishan’s name on my left hand. This meant that any time I would look at my watch, I was reminded of who I was dedicating my run to – a nine-year-old boy who has a daily fight with that awful disease.
“I kept thinking of his fighting spirit and how he faces each day with a smile and courage like no other – that alone is motivation to get anyone through anything! WhatsApp communication with Zishan during the race gave me the much-needed support and drive to get me to the finish line,” Robyn explains.
While the journey has been more than challenging for the Reddy family and particularly Zishan, Goolshun described Robyn and her husband Marc as God-sent and an amazing family with a heart of gold.
The community has rallied, too, with a recent donor drive at the school which saw 300 people sign up as hopeful stem cell donors, keeping hope alive that Zishan will soon find his match.
“We pray that God Almighty continues to give him the strength to get through this with ease,” Goolshun adds.
In a touching testament to Robyn’s impact, Zishan himself expressed his heartfelt gratitude:
“Teacher Daniel is loving, caring and has a heart of gold. She ran the Comrades for me, and she also gave me her Comrades Medal. This is amazing and also gives me the strength, and I know I can do this. Thank you, Teacher Daniel and to your beautiful family. I love you.”
Sources: Robyn Daniel | Goolshun Reddy
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