Members of the Kids-Can Cancer Foundation during one of their fund-raising drives, from left, are Elmore Julius, Chantel Meyer, Uthmaan Lakay, Kauthar Adams and founder Kaashief Lakay.
Kaashief Lakay is on a mission to honour the lives of children who have lost their battle against cancer.
The founder of the Maitland-based Kids-Can Cancer Foundation, a non-profit company, is planning a memorial day for these children on Sunday September 29.
Gold September, or Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, is an internationally recognised month dedicated to raising awareness about childhood cancer with a gold ribbon symbolising the strength, courage, and resilience of children impacted by cancer.
About 1000 of the estimated 400 000 new childhood cancer cases diagnosed worldwide each year occur in South Africa with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that leukaemia is the most common here, according to the National Cancer Registry.
“The main objective of this event is to shine an even brighter spotlight on childhood cancer, bringing attention to the heartbreaking reality that many of these families suffer in silence, with very little support,” Mr Lakay said.
With support from the Salt River Blackpool Football Club, the event will be held at the Shelley Road Sports Grounds in Salt River, and the organisers plan to have hundreds of bikers attending and dropping of nutritional foods for those children still fighting the disease.
Mr Lakay was himself diagnosed with cancer when he was 21, and he had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation.
“During my treatment, I encountered parents of young cancer warriors in various hospitals across the Western Cape. Witnessing their struggles first-hand made me realise that much more needed to be done for these little fighters beyond the care packs, blankets, and toys that were being provided.
“These families needed their stories to be shared, their challenges highlighted and more tangible support offered, such as crowdfunding campaigns tailored to their specific needs and transportation to hospital for treatment and check-ups etc.”
His foundation had worked with more than 300 young cancer patients since it was registered in 2020, raising awareness, helping to raise funds, providing transport to hospital and more, he said.
"Our focus is within South Africa, where we provide both physical and financial assistance. However, our platform extends globally in terms of raising prayers and awareness for these little warriors across the world.“
Government spending on cancer research was minimal and many families were left facing the illness with limited resources, he said, adding that the memorial day was a way shed light on some of those issues and give those battling cancer a voice.
“This event isn’t just about remembering the fallen but also about raising awareness and encouraging others to join us in our mission. We’re actively seeking partners who want to come on board and support this cause, as we aim to continue connecting with individual families, walking alongside their cancer journeys, and offering assistance wherever we can.”
Salt River Blackpool Football Club chairman Iqbal Kasker said they were proud to be hosting the event.
“It’s events like these that raise the profile of our community, and it’s placing the spotlight on a very important topic, and our club will always be in support of such stuff,” he said.
The event will include car shows, food stalls, DJs and more, and it will feature a display paying tribute to children who have lost their lives to cancer.
For more information, contact Andre at 073 892 1745 or Kaashief at 083 352 9842.