YOU are a hero!

Everyday heroes come from all circumstances, continents, and walks of life. They contribute to the goal of ending poverty through their voices, their time, their money, their collaboration, and their passionate commitment to a more just world.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Noooo, it’s…YOU! A hero that is powerful enough to change lives, to make your family proud, to support your loved ones for life and beyond!

Did you even know that there's a hero residing inside of you? Every once in a while, though, we come across real-life heroes. Not those whose jobs are heroic by nature, like teachers, firefighters, nurses, doctors or policemen. But your average, un-extraordinary person, who does an extraordinary deed which positively impacts someone's life. Oops, I apologise…knowing some of you I can without a shadow of a doubt proclaim you as super- extraordinary or in some case just plain weird!

Yes, I am talking to YOU! The person who heard my plea for help, not just with your eyes (by reading my blog, texts, emails) or ears (plaintive phone calls) but mostly with your HEART!

 

 

 

I THANK YOU AND I SALUTE YOU,

 

on behalf of the 100 cancer-challenged people at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, who each received a hamper filled with food and gifts on this day, Thursday, 13 December 2012.
I sincerely wish that I was eloquent enough to capture the experience in a way that you all could understand what it felt like to meet and engage with 100’s of people of various ages, race and gender. On average there about 120 patients on a daily basis at the Oncology Department. All of them dealing with the ‘Big C’ in their own indomitable way. Indomitable, since most of them have arisen at 4am to catch various taxis to get them to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, to patiently wait their turn in never-ending lines.

Even though the five dedicated Oncologists on duty only arrive at 11am from their own practices, the patients need to get in line for their blood tests, consult with their doctors and then proceed to the treatment room for their chemotherapy. Sadly, many parents have to bring their children in with them. Strewn all along the corridors outside the Oncology Department, were children of all ages, with their coloring books and crayons (handed out by the nurses), babies lying on blankets on the floor and care-givers waiting patiently to help the cancer-challengers get back home.

I have never felt so small, so insignificant in the face of the patients standing in line to receive their hampers. The very first woman, just fell into my arms crying. Her tears were those of immense gratitude at receiving a hamper valued at R 150. As the many faces passed through, faces wreathed in incredible smiles, some in pain caused by their illness and even more in tears, I realized that the 100 hampers were not anywhere near enough to alleviate the distressing situation.

My goal was to reach at least 300 people before Christmas, bestowing upon them the food hampers donated by YOU our generous Heroes. With the assistance and support of the un-winged angels of the PLWC (People Living with Cancer) Organisation, Susan Elder and Chris Olivier, YOU and I were able to make a difference in a number of peoples’ lives today.  I know that with more and more Superheroes arising, we can continue to make a difference and not just reach my goal but exceed it by far.

 

Have you ever noticed how many successful superhero movies there are? Iron Man, X-Men,  Batman; Spiderman. What makes them so powerful and popular? Is it because people like seeing good prevail over the baddies? Or do people like the idea that there are others who have the ability to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate?

Yes, so you cannot climb walls, hang upside down and kiss your girlfriend without drooling; or become invisible when you spot the nosy neighbor who wants to chat at 6 in the morning; or rescue the damsel in distress who just missed her taxi and is late for work…and so on & so on…

But do you realise how easy it is to be a hero to people in need of help? All it takes, my friend, is action. You don't need any superpowers, you don't need any special degrees, and you don't need be in government or a highly-paid CEO. All you need is a passion for helping others.

But it all starts with taking action. Will there be critics? Of course.
And never forget, that for every critic, there will be 99 success stories or more that consider you to be their hero. That's why they are critics and you are the hero.

That is the path every one of us must take. We must choose to be a leader in our life-paths, whether you are mother, a father, a teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, a butcher, a baker or a candlestick maker.  Be a leader. Add extreme value to the world and help as many people as you can. Have faith in your ability to do so. Take massive action. Never give up on what is important to you.

As tough as it might seem, you'll find out how easy it is to go from zero to Superhero in no time at all…and find it so rewarding. Make the world a better place.

To support the Hampers for Cancer-Challenged Families:

Please send me your details  (vanitha@betrained.co.za) together with the number of Hampers you would like to donate. If you would like to make a donation, in lieu of a gift, please include the details of your recipient as well.

Thank you so much! May you and your family always be blessed.
Account: VS Pillay
Bank: ABSA
Account No: 9263212140
Savings Account
Reference: Your name

 

 

'Tis the Time for Giving

December Holiday Season is a time for Giving

 

 

Whether you call it the holiday season or Christmas, I think it’s safe to say that it is a time for spending with family and showing your loved ones that you care.  It is also the time of the year to give to those in need and to be charitable. Even though there are many of us that have charities that we regularly donate to already, there are those who do not.

 

Since time is the most valuable resource we have and we never seem to have enough of, being charitable can fall lower and lower on the rung of people’s priorities. The good news is that there are many ways to participate and really make a difference in someone’s life. People in general seem more interested in giving gifts that make a difference in other people's lives. A well-chosen charitable donation made in lieu of a present can be perceived as a profoundly meaningful gesture during a season of thoughtless consumption.

This has always appealed to me so it just made sense to embark on a charitable drive that I have first-hand knowledge of.

As some of you may know, I am currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. I was diagnosed in May 2012 and frankly the entire process since then has been a blur...it's just all happened so fast! I'm close to the end of the chemo sessions (taxol) and then destined for 6 weeks of radiation. Being a  “widowed orphan” and a single mother of two almost adult children, coming to terms with my cancer diagnosis and undergoing chemotherapy has been one very rocky road (and nothing like the ice-cream!)! To top it off, I am self-employed!

 

As you may realise, undergoing treatment has a seriously negative impact on the ability to work and in my case generate any income.  Chemotherapy, complementary medication and other lifestyle changes can be unforeseen surprise! And not one of the good ones!

 

Needless to say, it has been one very challenging year. Thankfully, I am still surviving and will continue to do so but for the grace of God as well as for the care and support of my family and friends.

 I have also learnt that having cancer can be a very lonely ordeal even when surrounded by family and friends.  Psychologically it impacts on a person’s self-esteem, confidence and independence. Physically,  you look and feel like a train wreck. Financially, you learn to live with the basics and contemplate the positive sides of both living and dying.

 

However, If your financial situation is already dire, being diagnosed with cancer just catapults you into an even more difficult struggle. There are many cancer-challenged families out there who are in this very position. My greatest desire is to help these families in any little way that I can. I have called upon many of you in the past to help others in a desperate position and you have been most generous. Thank you.  If there ever was a time that I need your help, it is right now!

I have managed to find Christmas Hampers which contain most needed food items which I would like to distribute to those in need in JHB for now.  The Christmas Hampers consist of both basic and luxury food items housed in any 10 litre bucket with a lid. The total cost of the Hamper is R 150.00. In order to make a difference, I would like to distribute 300 hampers before Christmas Day. With the help of the PLWC (People Living With Cancer), we have identified needy cancer-challenged patients at the Charlotte Maxeke (Jhb Gen) Hospital as well as other patients who are part of the PLWC Support Group.

 

I have not registered a charity as yet, and trust that you will find it in your heart to give generously towards this campaign, as you have done in the past. Perhaps there are others that you may know who may want to give a donation in lieu of a gift this year!  

 

The aim is to make some difference to families afflicted with cancer facing financial crises. Let’s bring a smile to their faces as they remember happier, healthier holiday seasons.

When Christmas bells are swinging above

the fields of snow,

We hear sweet voices ringing from

lands of long ago,

And etched on vacant places

Are half-forgotten faces

Of friends we used to cherish,

and loves we used to know.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox