Elphus Mashile smiles contentedly as he enjoys the sunshine from the stoep of a colonial-style house set in a manicured garden. “I am so happy that I can stay at Keurboom,” he says. “I do not know how I would get treatment if I could not come to this place.”
This is Mashile’s second visit to the Keurboom Interim Home in Belgravia, Johannesburg, which provides support and care for patients undergoing treatment for cancer. It provides accommodation, meals and transport to people who live far from hospitals or who cannot afford to travel for treatment every day.
Mashile was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1995, he is on his third course of chemotherapy and is also undergoing radiation therapy.
He lives in Krugersdorp but is being treated at Johannesburg General Hospital. Without the services offered by Keurboom, he would not be able to afford transport to the hospital each day. There would also be no one to help him with the side effects he suffers on his journey home.
Says Kelsey Whitton, manager, of Keurboom: “For most people, this is their only option for cancer treatment. They come from all over the Gauteng province and even further … They are either unemployed, or have to take unpaid leave from work to receive their cancer treatment.”
The home, which caters for 20 patients, has four full-time staff, including a driver, a cook and two cleaners.
Thomas Seemela has been working as a driver at the home for six years and doubles as a social worker and entertainer. “Sometimes people are difficult, but I know they act like that because they are sick. These people are part of my life. I just try to keep them busy so they forget about their troubles for a while.”
Stephen Mooketsi, who was operated on for a brain tumor and is currently receiving 24 days of radiation therapy at Hillbrow Hospital. “I live near Pretoria. I am unemployed. There is no way that I could afford to take a taxi to Jo’burg every day.” He says emotional support is a key ingredient in the service Keurboom provides. “I find a lot of comfort here,” he says. “We all share a common illness. We can talk to each other and share experiences.”
Doug Scott, a cancer survivor, visits the home on a weekly basis. “I tell people about what to expect during their treatment and how they can make it easier.” Scott advises people on their diet — “no sugar and no fat”, gives practical advice — “we can organise prostheses, wigs and support groups” — and generally tries to lift their spirits. “People nowadays don’t just die from cancer, they live with it,” he says.
Most people stay at Keurboom for six to eight weeks, and although the home does not offer medical care, staff are on standby 24 hours a day to deal with the side effects of cancer therapy. “We have to watch them very closely,” Whitton explains.
In addition to its small core of paid staff, Keurboom relies on a large network of volunteers and donors. “The East Rand Business Association gave those to us last week,” says Whitton, gesturing towards two large refrigerators. Other donors supply fresh bread, fruit and vegetables and even crockery.
“It is very important that our residents eat a healthy diet. They cannot eat junk food. They are sick and their immune systems need a boost,” Whitton explains. In addition, Twiggs Florists in Kensington donates a weekly supply of flowers to boost patients’ morale.
Volunteers from the local community involve themselves in a wide variety of activities including gardening, fund-raising, arts and crafts and cancer information meetings.
Because Keurboom offers its services for free, it is always on the look out for new funders. “It costs about R25 000 a month to keep this place running,” Whitton says. A large part of the budget is provided by the Cancer Association of South Africa and other donors. “We receive no government funding, although we do provide what I believe is a government service. Most people who stay here cannot afford to get their treatment any other way.”