Daniel gains sweet support
The Ferreira family have received overwhelming support from the community since they found out that baby Daniel had cancer; including Cupcake 4 Cancer Lowveld's "party of hope" in aid of the little boy.
MBOMBELA – “It is overwhelming, in a good way, how supportive the general public is. Last weekend was amazing; people everywhere helped and supported this cause. I had friends sending photos and posting on social media about the cakes they bought. Thanks to everyone who selflessly spent their days and nights arranging the cupcake day.”
Alida Ferreira was speaking about the Cupcakes 4 Cancer Lowveld initiative which was held across four venues last weekend in honour of her son, Daniel, who suffers from bilateral retinoblastoma – a type of eye cancer which affects young children.
Unfortunately, doctors were unable to save his left eye and it had to be removed. There are two tumours in the right eye and it is hoped that, through chemotherapy, they will shrink.
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Since Lowvelder reported about Daniel’s condition in June and the launch of Supporting Baby Daniel on Facebook, the Ferreiras have received support from far and wide.
Cupcakes were sold last Saturday in a “party of hope” for the eight-month-old at Montana Garden Pavilion, The Grove SUPERSPAR, Artistic Hair Club and at the orange station at The Color Run. The proceeds will go directly towards baby Daniel’s costs and needs.
Jacki van Zyl of Cupcakes 4 Cancer Lowveld said the cakes had been donated by various “cupcake angels” who baked and decorated anything from 12 to 200 cupcakes each. The Grove and The Village SPAR supermarkets and Lowvelder’s classified ladies all contributed.
“A group of friends spent Friday afternoon and evening icing hundreds of cupcakes. Alida and Daniel joined us for a few hours too,” Van Zyl said.
Cupcakes 4 Cancer Lowveld raises funds to assist families who have a child with cancer.
These funds can go towards medical bills, transport costs or even to help with groceries. “Because there is no paediatric oncology in the Lowveld, patients need to be taken to Gauteng for chemotherapy which involves extra costs,” Van Zyl said.
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“For patients like Daniel, it is not just the chemotherapy that is expensive but also the occupational therapy and physiotherapy and even psychological help down the line. So even if a family is on medical aid, their benefits can run out quite quickly.”
She added that the “party of hope” initiatives are not just about fund-raising but also to raise awareness for the early warning signs of childhood cancer.
Daniel underwent his third chemotherapy treatment last week and even though he was very sick for a few days, he has started to feel better and is eating again, Ferreira said.
“Two weeks ago, he also started special laser treatment, which he will have to undergo every month for the rest of the year,” she added. “The doctor said he could see the tumours behind the right eye were beginning to shrink, so the chemo is definitely working. The prognosis is good at this stage.”
Daniel has received his first prosthetic eye last Friday.
