COMMUNITY members have responded to the call to help young Bluff boy, Keagan Herbst, who has cancer, as they gear up to raise funds through ‘Keagan’s Bash’ this weekend.
In 2013, the 13-year-old was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a bone cancer that generally only occurs in children. His mother, Sharon Herbst, said he has bravely fought the disease into remission twice, but it has returned for a third time.
Keagan should have started grade 8 this year, but his condition has left him unable to go to school. “Our family is coping as best we can, but we have our moments,” she said. Keagan’s medication costs R1,200 per 3ml and he needs 1ml per day. Added to that are other costs, including the purchase of organic food, which has left the family in need of funds.
Local residents, aware of his plight, have urged businesses and other residents to heed their call and donate what they can for a fundraising event scheduled for Saturday, 31 January.
The event called ‘Keagan’s Bash’ was organised by Bluff resident, Shaun Venter and Fynnland Combined Sports Club (FCSP), where Keagan was a junior soccer player. “We are pleading to all companies on the Bluff to assist us with our fundraiser,” said FCSP manager, Carol Statt in a message on social media sites.
At a meeting on Friday, 23 January, to discuss the fundraising drive, 11-year-old, Mikayla Besuidenhout, a friend who meet Keagan three years ago when they both played soccer together, said she would do anything she can to help him. She has offered her three much-sought after One Direction concert tickets to be auctioned to raise funds for him. “I would much rather save him than go to a concert. He has a
great personality and he is one-in-a-million. You won’t easily find anyone like
him,” she said as she urges other people to get on board and do what they can
for Keagan.
Sharon thanks the community for their support. “We appreciate all they have done for us. We are overwhelmed and there is nothing we can do to ever thank them enough.”
Keagan’s Bash starts at noon and ends at 10pm and will include live music, karaoke, a night market, hot dog eating competition, entertainment for children, among other exciting events. Entry is free, but donations are welcome.
For information, or to offer assistance or donations call Carol Stott on 072-414-8582, Shaun Venter on 061-466-3081 or Belinda Bezuidenhout on 079-033-9763.
