Christmas wish surprise for ailing mother
"When I prayed, I couldn't find the words, it feels like all my dignity was taken."
These are the words of Elaine van Loggerenberg (59), when she was diagnosed with stage four cancer in August.
“I was a dignified woman and proud of my hair,” she says.
Her daughter, Tammy van Niekerk (24), was contacted by a popular Gauteng radio station on Tuesday as part of their Christmas wish list.
Tammy is an unemployed, aspiring photographer raising three children and, with the help of her sister Adelé Bhala, takes care of their mother.
“My mother started losing her hair on October 28 and that’s when the reality of the situation struck,” says Tammy, “my wish was for my mother to receive a proper wig.”
She explains that wigs are expensive, ranging from R15 000 to R38 000 and with medical expenses piling up, a wig seemed unattainable.
Having a passion for photography, Tammy was invited to the radio station’s studio to do a photoshoot of the team and will receive R10 000.
She was also given R50 000 from a company that heard her plight and wanted to assist with their current financial situation.
“I am so overwhelmed, I can’t believe this is happening.”
Tammy says that she will be using the R10 000 towards furthering her studies in photography, bookings for photoshoots have increased drastically since the radio broadcast.
The R50 000 donation will be contributed towards the needs of her ailing mother.
“It’s a long journey and we don’t want to jump the gun.”
After Elaine’s chemo session, tests need to be done to determine whether a mastectomy is necessary.
Elaine’s symptoms include dizziness, vomiting, blackouts, memory loss, chest pains, dry mouth and nausea.
The family remains positive and believes together they will overcome this.
“I thank God for helping me and giving me the most wonderful children in the world, they are so good to me,” says an emotional Elaine.
