Support for young adults

TWO local women who have fought and beaten cancer, have joined forces to start a cancer support group for young adults, the CANSA Cake and Coffee Club.

Ashton Botes, (24), was diagnosed with colon cancer last year and underwent surgery and 12 chemotherapy sessions, which ended in February.

“I was young, fit, healthy, running marathons and as a dietician, I know what’s good for me. I never thought this would happen to me!” she said.

Ashton met Kirsty Muir, (26), through a mutual friend on Facebook, and the two were a great support for each other.

Kirsty was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in February 2014.

“I had so much chemo and a bone marrow transplant in May this year,” she said.

Ashton and Kirsty had the same oncologist and spent a number of hours together next to each other in the chemo suite, and know the value of having someone who knows what they were going through to share experiences with.

“It was a terrible ordeal, but we’re keen to start this group. We had each other so we were lucky, you can’t really explain what you are going through, so I feel it will be nice to have people for young adults battling cancer to talk to, and ask questions from people who understand. I think it will make a difference,” said Kirsty.

“It’s so great to have young people involved who can share what they went through with others,” said Cara Noble of Cansa, who is also excited about this new venture.

The group is open to people from 16 to 35-years-old and will meet on the third Thursday of the month, starting on 19 November, at CANSA, Umbilo Road, at 6pm for 6.30pm.

To attend, RSVP to Ashton on 072 447 4455 or Cara on 083 784 5596 or cnoble@cansa.org.za