How Ongezwa Found Her Strength at CHOC House
Good Things Guy | 13.02.2026 18:00
No parent or family should ever have to walk the journey of childhood cancer alone. Though devastated by her daughter’s diagnosis, Ongezwa was met with an even greater love and a community support that restored her hope.
Eastern Cape, South Africa (13 February 2026) – What began as a growing pain in her daughter’s stomach in July last year became a journey Ongezwa could never have prepared for.
Eight-year-old Luhle had complained about the pain before it affected her posture, and she began limping.
“At first, I thought she might be pretending because she didn’t want to go to school, but as the pain worsened, I became deeply concerned. I asked a friend to help me take her to St Elizabeth Hospital,” shares Ongezwa.
The doctor suspected appendicitis, and they were transferred the same day to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital for emergency surgery. Once there, they were turned away after being told the scanning department had been closed for the day.
They left home as early as they could and without breakfast the following day, in a rush to return to the department.
“A few hours later, I was asked to sign consent forms and told that Luhle would be taken into theatre. That was when I broke down. I blamed myself for not listening to her sooner and questioned everything, even God. I was terrified that my daughter could die.”
The clock couldn’t have ticked any slower as an anxious Ongezwa waited for feedback from the doctors.
After a long wait, a doctor came bearing news that left Ongeza devastated. A mass had been found in Luhle’s stomach between her lungs and kidneys, damaging one of her kidneys.
“They could not operate and had taken samples to test for cancer. At that moment, my body felt numb. I could not hear anything else he said.”
Luhle was diagnosed with nephroblastoma. With her tumour growing rapidly, she was later transferred to Frere Hospital, where she began chemotherapy.
“I already had some understanding of the treatment, as my mother had gone through chemotherapy herself. We spent three months in the hospital, getting to know the nurses, doctors and other mothers, before we were allowed to move to the Childhood Cancer Foundation SA CHOC House,” Ongezwa recalls.
The Home Away From Home That Healed Ongezwa’s Spirit
Ongezwa says the CHOC House was clean, warm and felt like a home away from home.
“The staff were kind, gentle and welcoming. I no longer felt alone. I made new friends and stopped worrying constantly about our situation.”
There, her diminishing hope began to return, and she was constantly supported through her daughter’s childhood cancer journey.
“Your care restored my hope,” she says to CHOC.
No family should walk such a journey alone. Whether you are seeking support or want to refer a family in need, you can find resources and a helping hand at the CHOC website.
