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 smile worth a thousand words – Ronny’s journey
Today is a big day for Ronny (9) and his mother, Mary. They are from Grabouw in the Western Cape and were brought to Tygerberg Hospital today by the h [...]
Valencia’s journey to a brighter tomorrow
Thanks to the Surgical Waiting List Project, made possible through the generosity of donors through the Children’s Hospital Trust, little Valencia now [...]
Still in Charge: How Schoolwork Helped Taylor Face a Life-Changing Diagnosis
“It was last Thursday night when Taylor suddenly fell ill.” Karin, Taylor’s mom, recounts. “She was very sleepy. She didn’t want to eat anything. She [...]
Lunje’s Fight to Find His Feet Again
On Wednesday, the 3rd of September 2025, nine-year-old Lunje was walking home from school with two of his friends, as he does every day. It’s not far. [...]
A Clearer Future: One Family, Two Life-Changing Surgeries
It is a sunny but chilly Saturday afternoon at the Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, a long-awaited moment has finally arrived for the Skolweni family [...]
A Father’s Love: Azalea’s Story
“We found out when we went for the third scan,” Josiam recounts. “They said something wasn’t right.” The doctors in Plettenberg Bay could see that the [...]
Cadi’s Dream: From Frightened Patient to Aspiring Physician
Cadi stared at the wall in disbelief. Every few months, her grandfather measured her and her sister to see how they had grown. When he was satisfied t [...]
The boy who wants to Fly
His father says he hasn't decided yet. Some days David wants to be a doctor. Other days, a pilot. At six years old, he keeps his options open. David w [...]
Healing Beyond the Flames
It was a sunny August afternoon, and two-year-old Hunter was fast asleep. His mother, Robyn, had stepped outside to hang washing and paused to talk to [...]
Mr. Accident and the Long Road to Surgery
It’s a cold winter morning at Mitchell’s Plain Hospital (MPH). Mogamat is wrapped up tightly in a fluffy blanket. He peeks out shyly when anyone speak [...]
Fighting for her Dreams: Mia’s story
Mia is just 11, yet she has spent more time in hospitals than most will in a lifetime. “She was born jaundiced, and phototherapy didn’t help.” She was [...]
Walking Free: Natalie’s Story
The orthopaedic clinic is about to open at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. The first patient to arrive is 16-year-old Natalie. She sit [...]
Yet another wait: Phelo’s story
It’s midmorning at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH), and baby Phelo (a nickname) is ready to take a nap. But when his mother, N [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]






















