Reach for a Dream paediatric oncologist discusses the importance of Childhood Cancer Awareness
Illovo based organisation, Reach for a Dream, paediatrician hopes to see a higher percentage of child survivors facing cancer through early detection.
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and for Gita Naidu, that’s all that she’s ever been in this world, a hero.
Through her ongoing fight to help children who are terminally ill from cancer, Naidu shares her story of what led her to the path of becoming a paediatrician.
Born and raised in the province of KwaZulu-Natal Naidu has always had the passion and drive to save lives from an early age.
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“I was considered to be a nerd when I was in school: I loved reading and learning which sparked my interest in becoming a doctor. After accomplishing that goal I became a paediatric oncologist and at that time I developed a liking for non-communicable diseases like children’s cancer. I enjoy the interface between the clinical work and the scientific work that we do with oncology,” said Naidu.
Naidu joined the Reach for a Dream Foundation as a director in 2020 with hopes of uplifting the spirits of young children.
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“My priority is to share relevant information in hopes of saving lives,” said Naidu. “A lot of parents situated in communities facing poverty do struggle with juggling work, visiting their children at the hospital and taking care of their families back at home. It’s a very painful thing to witness. We do our utmost best to support the families through providing accommodation and essentials goods.”
With September shedding important light on the awareness of childhood cancer, the paediatric oncologist with the heart and ribbon of gold highlighted how individuals can detect early signs of cancer.
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“The acronym SILURIAN which stands for seeking, eye, lump, unexplained, aching and neurological will assist with early detection. Seek medical attention for visible symptoms, observe an individual’s eye for a white spot, and check for any lumps, any unexplained illnesses should not be ignored, and body aches and any changes in speech and walking should always be checked by a medical professional. With this information, I hope that we can increase the rate of survivors.
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