Kicking the bucket list one tick at a time
Before Roodepoort Northsider journalist Nicola Jansen van Vuuren gets her stomach removed, she wants to complete her bucket list. And the community is eager to help.
After Sharing Roodepoort Northsider journalist Nicola Jansen van Vuuren’s story about her struggle with Gardner Syndrome, the community of the West Rand had come out to support her before her life-changing operation.
Gardner’s is a rare inherited syndrome that forms unusual growths throughout the body which includes hundreds of polyps (a small growth in the intestine, rectum, or colon) which left untreated leads to colon cancer. Earlier this year she found out that her best option would be to remove her stomach and in January 2024 she will be going for the operation.
• Read the initial article here: Journalist with rare syndrome faces next step in life-altering surgery – needs your help
But before then, Nicola had some bucket list items that she wanted to tick off, and that is where the West Rand community showed how big their hearts are.
One of her dreams was to ride in a Ford Mustang and so Nandi Oosthuizen and Global Autohause organised for her to take her first Mustang ride and a milkshake treat.
Nandi said that she believes that people should live life to their fullest and that bucket lists are exactly that, the impulsive outrageous things you have always wanted to do but never had the time for, the things that make the best memories.
“It gives me so much joy to be able to help someone else with their bucket list,” she said.
Corinda Loots from BCI Security has been working with Nicola for a long time and wanted to make one of Nicola’s wishes come true. She contacted Brigadier Kobus Lategan who offered to pick Nicola up for coffee and breakfast in his Mustang. She even had the opportunity to drive the Mustang back.
Then Andreas Oberlechner and Charles Pratley made another dream come true by taking her on a scenic helicopter ride over the West Rand. To fill her hungry stomach, Saddlewood Steak Ranch also gifted her with a food voucher to enjoy their delicious food.
Nicola said she plans on going to the Kruger National Park before her operation. She loves wildlife and animals are her passion, she explained that she would love to interact with wildlife.
She said the last two things on her bucket list are to see Riaan Benadé live and to take a ride around Kyalami in a fast car.
