Clifton cancer survivor graduates with distinction

MORNINGSIDE resident, Robbie Eddles (20) was among the thousands of matriculants who collected their results last week.

While the class of 2021 faced challenges under the Covid-19 pandemic, Eddles is also a leukimia survivor and has overcome several setbacks, since Grade 1, on his path to success.

What’s more, Eddles graduated with two distinctions, with 83% for history and 80% for life orientation.

Also read: IEB 2021 matric results: Clifton learner scores 100% for Maths

“It was my goal to get more than one distinction, so I was chuffed with that,” said the triumphant matriculant. “I managed to pass core maths, which I struggled with, and I managed to get my other subjects up to 70% and above.”

His battle with cancer began when he was just eight years old.

“I’ve had cancer three times in my life. When I was in Grade 1 at Clifton College, I had cancer for the first time. I had to repeat Grade 1 and I struggled quite a bit in Grade 2 as I had been kept back,” said Eddles.

“Leukemia is classified as childhood cancer that appears in your lower back and bone marrow. There are two types. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), which I have, is considered less severe. The other type is acute myeloid leukemia (ALM),” he said.

After treatment, Eddles went into remission for a few years. He attended Livingstone Primary School, from Grade 3 to Grade 7, and fought cancer again in 2014.

“When I was in Grade 6, my cancer returned and I went through chemotherapy again. Near the end of the year I was in remission after doing chemotherapy throughout the year. I was in the clear and didn’t have to repeat the year,” recalled Eddles.

He returned to Clifton College as he started Grade 8. In 2019, Eddles was set to start his Grade 11 year when his health declined once again.

“I wasn’t feeling well. I had attended a summit in India with other Clifton College learners and I was playing basketball at a school in India when I felt a sharp pain in my spleen. I felt tired all the time.

“My doctors said my cancer had returned and I had to have a bone marrow transplant. My older sister, Gillian, was my donor. I am now feeling much stronger,” said Eddles.

Also read: Mari Stella’s matrics celebrate results

While his health was improving, Eddles decided to repeat Grade 11 in 2020. Putting his health first did not come without any sacrifices. Repeating the year meant that Eddles would graduate a year behind his friends.

“It was quite sad not to matriculate with my friends from Grade 8, but the matric class I ended up graduating with were very kind. I was happier than I thought I would be,” said Eddles.

This year, he plans to study a Bachelor of Arts in law before going on to study psychology. “My dream is to become a psychologist and assist other cancer patients through their treatment,” he said.

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