Hearing the shocking news that your child is ill, is a fearful moment for any parent – but this moment became a reality for Goodwood family, Marvin (35) and Ruth (42) Bester.
Luke Bester, their three-year-old boy was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a fast-growing cancer affecting the immune system, in August this year.
Marvin, Luke’s father, told TygerBurger that Luke had just started crèche when he became ill.
They thought it was just due to the new environment he was being exposed to “as with most children”. He displayed normal cold and flu symptoms, Marvin says.
But Luke started complaining about abdominal pain and discomfort. One morning he woke up screaming in pain and was taken to the hospital. From there onwards Luke has been in and out of the hospital.
They first found he had lesions on the liver and kidneys, later diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma.
“It all happened so fast,” Marvin says.
The news devastated Marvin and Ruth. Luke also has little brother, Joshua (1).
Long road to recovery
Luke is currently facing a long road to recovery and needs his parents by his side as he undergoes chemotherapy to improve his condition.
“Since Luke’s diagnosis, we have been in and out of the hospital. We have lost a lot of family time. It has been emotionally draining for us as a family. During the weeks that Luke is receiving treatment, one of us is a single parent to Luke in hospital while the other is a single parent at home to Joshua,” says Marvin.
Fundraising
To support Luke with his ongoing needs, three staff members from Bishops School, where Marvin works as a biology teacher, and 30 runners from Pinelands Athletics Club, launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy.
Taking on the Cape Town Marathon on 15 and 16 October, the runners who have varied experience championed the 42,2 km route and raised R114 000 to support Luke with his treatments, and help the Bester family with their living and transport expenses.
The campaign, which is still accepting donations due to Luke’s ongoing needs, has thus far received 107 donations towards the fundraising target of R150 000.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support shown by our family, friends, and colleagues. The initiative was set up by our dear running friend Alison Smith,” says Marvin.
- To support Luke visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/luke-bester. Alternatively, donations can be made via Snapscan at https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/LukeBester.
