The gift of hope: supporting cancer patients in South Africa this festive season and beyond
The festive season is often a time for joy, connection and reflection. Families come together to celebrate milestones, share meals and look forward to a brighter year ahead.
But for thousands of South Africans diagnosed with cancer and stuck on long waiting lists for treatment, the holidays bring uncertainty and worry.
With 85% of South Africans relying on the severely overstretched public health system, cancer patients often face years of waiting for life-saving treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
For these individuals, the festive season is less about celebration and more about survival.
The Johnson-Rose Cancer Foundation (JRCF) is stepping in to change this narrative.
As South Africa’s first and only registered non-profit focused on funding cancer care for uninsured patients referred from state hospitals, the foundation provides a lifeline to those most in need.
This holiday season, the foundation is calling on South Africans to give the greatest gift of all: the gift of hope.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, and South Africa is no exception.
However, the country’s public healthcare system is buckling under the weight of demand. With only 15% of oncologists working in the public sector, resources are stretched to their limits.
Patients diagnosed with cancers that require urgent treatment often face delays of months, or even years, before they can begin therapy. Sadly, for many, this delay can mean the difference between life and death.
The Johnson-Rose Cancer Foundation (JRCF) was created to bridge this gap, offering critical cancer treatment, transport, and support services to South Africans who would otherwise be left behind.
How your support can save lives
According to Dr Sudeshen Naidoo, a specialist radiation oncologist and founder of the Johnson-Rose Cancer Foundation, even a modest contribution can make a profound difference in someone’s life.
“A monthly donation of just R100 will enable us to extend vital cancer care services to more patients throughout 2025,” he explained.
“No matter how small, these recurring gifts create a sustainable foundation that allows us to provide life-changing support, ranging from treatment to transport assistance for beneficiaries. R100 a month can help save a life.”
The foundation is aiming to recruit 100 new donors this festive season. By becoming one of these donors, you can directly impact the lives of South Africans battling cancer.
The Johnson-Rose Cancer Foundation takes a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer care, offering various services to support patients and their families.
These include:
Funding treatment: Covering the costs of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other essential cancer treatments.
Transport assistance: Providing transport for patients who cannot afford to travel to treatment facilities.
Accommodation: Offering safe spaces for patients who need to stay near treatment centres.
Emotional support: Providing counselling services to help patients and families cope with the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis.
Palliative care referrals: Ensuring patients in advanced stages of cancer receive compassionate end-of-life care.
“We understand that cancer affects not just the patient, but the entire family,” said Naidoo. “Our goal is to provide a network of support that addresses the financial, emotional, and logistical challenges that come with most cancer diagnoses.”
If you would like to bring hope through an R100 per month Christmas donation to The Johnson-Rose Cancer Foundation (JRCF), check out their website.