Mariannhill former soccer star highlights cancer awareness goal
Makhosi can't afford to do any of this alone and needs the help of the public through cash donations and skills and services.
FORMER Banyana Banyana midfielder and cancer survivor, Makhosi Luthuli, from Mariannhill, wants to raise awareness about cancer through sport.
She was diagnosed with Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system in 2011.
She played for the national women’s soccer team from 1997 to 2005 and represented SA in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
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Now Makhosi wants to give back through her foundation, Makhosi Luthuli Soccer Academy and Future Stars Academy, by hosting an awareness campaign to educate people about cancer during soccer tournaments.
“I want to use sports as a tool to educate. Cancer can affect anyone and even the fittest people can get cancer,” she added.
Future Stars Academy trains young girls and boys at Lahee Park and other parts of Mariannhill but Makhosi’s biggest challenge is the lack of equipment, funds to travel to matches and food.
“Most of the players are underprivileged and come from poor homes. I want to be able to offer the training at no cost to them and still provide the best,” she added. Makhosi is a qualified coach with international training.
Makhosi can’t afford to do any of this alone and needs the help of the public through cash donations and skills and services. She can be contacted on 078 717 0395 and makhosiluthulifoundation@gmail.com
Background
Makhosi noticed a swelling on the left side of her face and went to her local clinic for a check-up. She was told it was probably an abscess in her upper jaw and was prescribed antibiotics and sent home.
The swelling did not go away – in fact, it became worse and became an enormous growth.
She went to three different hospitals for a diagnosis and treatment. The Albert Luthuli Hospital did scans, and she was finally diagnosed with an Adenocarcinoma – or type of glandular cancer.
She received chemo therapy at the state hospital – however, it’s known that this kind of cancerous tumour does not respond to chemo.
In 2018 she was introduced to Operation Healing Hands and on 18 July, Mandela Day – Dr Frits Hoogendijk headed a team of health professionals who operated on Ruth.
Not only did they remove the growth – they built and implanted a new prosthetic upper jaw for her as hers had been eaten away by the cancer growth.
According to Makhosi the process could have cost in the region of R1 million.
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