Esther – Global Hero of Hope 2013

Esther Pretorius is a beacon of hope for her community of cancer survivors and fighters in Roodepoort.

Esther recently was awarded the title of Global Hero of Hope 2013 by the American Cancer Society and received the Mariette Loots award for Best Volunteer at Cansa in 2012. She is very active in her community, serving as a caregiver, friend and volunteer in projects for Cansa , the Burn Foundation and her own feeding scheme called Angels. Angels caters for less privileged families on the West Rand.

“My husband and I have been running the feeding scheme since 1975 and we are proud to celebrate 38 years of service to this community.”

Years ago Esther herself had laryngeal cancer that threatened her ability to speak, and she is proud to say that her strong faith has carried her through.

“I’m a survivor and just to be able to speak today is a privilege to me.

“At the time my drive and motivation were the desperate need to be able to speak to my grandchildren, should I have any.”

Esther is working on the Cansa Relay for Life project’s November event and says that she is blessed to be so involved with the survivors and to work at the survivor’s tent. She also is pursuing motivational speaking as a requirement for her newly earned Global Hero of Hope title.

Esther hopes to inspire other women to become global heroes of hope.