CANSACares
Chemo for Kids More Bearable with Broviac
What is a Broviac?” you might ask:
It’s a device for administering chemotherapy drugs – a point of entry inserted into a large vein leading directly into the heart.
We’re very, very grateful to our supporters who have made it possible for us to supply Broviac catheters to children.
And so are the mums and dads who could never have afforded this device – they cost more than R4 500 each.
Video: Breyton Paulse, Springbok rugby legend, shares about CANSA’s Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) Programme which supports parents, guardians, children and teens affected by cancer.
Just imagine trying to insert a needle big enough to transport a large volume of liquid into a small child’s vein, no thicker than a thread.
It goes without saying that a baby, or a little child, finds this terrifying and painful. Panic, hysteria and tears inevitably follow.
Using Broviac has another big advantage. Sending the chemo drugs into a pool of blood in the heart means they’re quickly diluted and don’t damage the fine veins of the limbs.
So we’re hoping you’ll agree – a Broviac is not a nice-to-have, it’s a MUST-HAVE for every child undergoing chemotherapy.
Ruben was on chemotherapy for a total of 120 days and having the Broviac made it a lot easier. At two years old, in July 2014 his family learned he had neuroblastoma – a tumour that starts in early nerve cells, most often in the abdomen.
CANSA TLC Nicus Lodge were honoured to be able to support the family throughout their ordeal.
Sadly, Ruben lost his fight early last year, but he lives on in the two children who benefited from transplantation of his corneas. Ruben was the first child with cancer to officially donate his corneas.
Mom, Miranda Scharneck and brother Rossouw, have been selfless in paying forward the blessings little Ruben brought into their lives, despite it having been so short and traumatic.
Just months after his passing, they arrived at CANSA TLC Nicus Lodge with a mountain of blankets, enough for us to pass on to other Care Centres. We were overwhelmed!
Rossouw took the opportunity to put up a leaf for Ruben on our ‘Tree of Life’. It was an emotional moment for him to remember his beloved little brother in this way.
So often in focusing on the patient and the parents, we gloss over the heartache brothers and sisters feel for the suffering of their sibling. Miranda’s been an amazing mom in the way she’s helped Rossouw through this ordeal.
Today, tomorrow, next week, more little boys and girls will be diagnosed with cancer and will need chemotherapy.
Please, will you give a gift today towards a Broviac for a child with cancer? Every gift donation helps us to ease their suffering