Stories From Our Patients, Parents and Staff
Meet some brave patients whose lives have been saved by the impact of the Children’s Hospital Trust and the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, as well as the extraordinary people there who have dedicated their lives to healing children.
A long road: Zarah’s story
At the end of each year, 18-year-olds across the country excitedly leave their school careers behind them and step into their adult lives, filled with [...]
Unstoppable: Haaroon’s Story
Haaroon just celebrated his sixth birthday in the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. Over the summer break, his family went to Agulhas for th [...]
One Surgery, One Life Changed: Melokuhle’s Story
It’s early on a Saturday morning at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH). The first rays of sunlight are starting to filter through [...]
Restoring a Little Star’s Sparkle: Yusrah’s Story
It’s early on a Saturday morning at Tygerberg Hospital, but four-year-old Yusrah is prepped and ready for surgery. She’s lying on her back in her hosp [...]
I Refuse to Give Up: Solwethu’s Story
A year ago, Solwethu’s world caved in. She was only 12 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and the fiercest battle of her young life began. “It [...]
Lee-Chaan’s Journey: A Mother’s Love and the Path to Healing
“It was a Tuesday night and there was no power, so we made a fire outside to boil water. Lee-Chaan was sitting next to me on a plastic chair. I left h [...]
Aloshay’s Journey: Resilience and Hope
Aloshay Arendse is a 15-year-old girl with a remarkable story of resilience and hope, shaped by her experiences at the Red Cross War Memorial Children [...]
Lunati’s Journey: A Mother’s Determination and the Power of Care
Asavela sits beside her son Lunati in a hospital room at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, a protective smile on her face as she watches him [...]
Little Laticia
It's early on a Saturday morning, and little Laticia is lifting her head over the bars of her hospital cot in Tygerberg Hospital, playing peek-a-boo w [...]
On the Road to Recovery
Khaalid, a spirited four-year-old with a warm smile and wild mop of hair, has been struggling with a painful hernia for most of his life. A hernia occ [...]
Wineland Woes
Sitting in his hospital cot, little four-year old *Chulumanco’s big eyes and calm demeanour hide the trauma of the painful ordeal he has had to endure [...]
Rebekah enjoys a new lease on life
“I’m really excited my trachea hole has closed up,” laughs six-year-old Rebekah van Rooyen when asked what she is most looking forward to in 2024. By [...]
Reconnecting with Cadi
From patient to surgeon, Cadi keeps her dream alive Cadi de Jager is as inspirational today as she was when, aged just 9, she charmed the internet wit [...]
Reconnecting with Kiiara
Sassy Kiiara soars defiantly above the CHAOS “What’s on Kiiara’s wish list for 2024?” asks Sasha Louw, reflecting on the next stage of her daughter’s [...]
It takes a village to PROTECT a child
A child's resilience shines brightest when embraced by a village of guardians In the midst of hopelessness, a child's resilience shines brightest when [...]
It takes a village to SEE a child
In the world of every child, safety should be an unwavering promise, not a fleeting hope. A story that echoes every innocent voice, pleading for a hav [...]
It takes a village to BELIEVE a child
Within the context of our society, it is not unusual that a child's voice trembled with fear and uncertainty. At just 11 years old, her world was frac [...]
Meet Diayana
Diayana is a pretty little girl who loves playing on her own. Her mom, Natalie smiles and says that she “is in her own world”. When speaking to Natali [...]
Thandolwakhe’s long-awaited surgery brings hope and healing
Having a sick child is never nice for the child or the parent, but having a child who is constantly sick, is another story. Nozi is sitting at the Red [...]
Bringing Hope: Saturday Surgeries give children like Adriaan healing
When a parent takes their child to the hospital for their first-ever surgery, it’s undoubtedly an extremely heart-wrenching experience. That instincti [...]
Meet Nokukhanya
“The day I delivered my stillborn baby, I lost my husband in a shack fire.” Take however much time you need to let that sink in... Nokukhanya lost her [...]
Michelle – Hospital School Principal
Michelle’s passion for the continued education of children while they are at the Red Cross Children's Hospital is inspiring. Even after 20 years of ed [...]
12 Years of Lizelle Moller’s Care, Protection, and Comfort
In the bustling corridors of the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, there are countless unsung heroes whose dedication to their work goes unn [...]