Faces of Hope

17 February 2009

Dear family and friends

The last two weeks were very good ones in our world. Luke was a lot happier at home. His stomach ache still persists but he was a lot less reserved and back to his old self by Thursday, helped along by the fact that we got some amazing blood results back at the end of last week. The doctors are very pleased by the response Luke is having to the chemotherapy but still wanted him to be admitted to hospital this week for intensive treatment.

He was admitted on Monday and not too thrilled to be back in his 2 by 4 and on the drip. He is having some side effects to the chemo, stomach aches (again) and some retching and his hair is falling out rapidly. He will remain in hospital until Saturday and then we will have some more info on what comes next. We hope his fighting spirit persists and will keep you posted.

22nd January 2009

Hi friends and family

I have been asked to give you an update on Luke and his leukemia. He left hospital last Friday with a long list of things to do and people to see. A lovely weekend was spent with his family relaxing and being as normal as possible. For the next two weeks Luke will go to hospital on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for Chemotherapy. On the last Friday 30th blood tests and a lumber puncture will be done to see how effective the chemo has been. In all probability Luke will return to hospital for a week or two as the last blood tests did not show the progress required. He has been given cortisone and as a result of which is eating like a horse. He has become very withdrawn and is sad and confused, trying to get him to talk about his illness and how he is feeling is near impossible. Madz and Brent will continue to persevere and have decided to bring in some professional help. The other side effects he is experiencing thus far are a very sore stomach and some mouth ulcers. Good hours and bad hours are the order of the day. I will send another email next week of any progress and will continue to do so until we have created Luke’s own blog.

Faces of Hope’s first interview on SA FM. Various individual were interviewed. How to start a section 21 company and or a trust.

Interviewer: Richelle Seton-Rogers

Thank you to all of the individuals who were interviewed and for helping to creating the awareness about Faces of Hope and what it takes to be able to make this happen and to DM Kisch Inc. it is greatly greatly appreciated.

Faces of Hope Interview

Hi Everyone

Ruan the little fighter had is bone marrow treatment over 9 weeks ago all went well and has a second transplant since then he is still in isolation and still fighting. I would just like to say to Ruan’s mom Yolandia and his family we are preying for you and preying for Ruan he is an amazing child and a fighter you can be proud. We will keep you all posted.

Faces of Hope in conjunction with LRF in New York will be auctioning this beautifully hand crafted piece of jewellery, at an event to take place in early 2009. This handcrafted piece of Jewellery is sponsored by Harmony.

The inspiration for this piece is an ecletic combination of elements from the Art Deco period, the cancer bow and wings of triumph (Cancer can be beaten)

The relay Cansa walk on the West Rand went well and had a good turn out. Their were some great team and the creativity of the teams and comeradery of all those who participated was fantastic. To all those who have won the battle against Cancer those who continue to fight it and those who have passed away the fight against cancer will be won.

Thank you to the Oxegen for Life team your stand was fantastic.

Pictures will uploaded shortly

Faces of Hope in conjunction with Oxegen for Life will be participating in the CANSA relay for life on the West Rand.

We will keep you updated and been posting pictures of the event.

Thank you to all those participating

Ruan van Tabbergh

• Just over two years old, Ruan van Tubbergh was born on 17 July, 2006
• Less than eight months later, in March 2007, Ruan was diagnosed with Leukemia
• His chances of survival are slim, considering the CD10 negative CD19 positive finding, a condition considered internationally, as a very high risk
• Ruan has undergone Chemotherapy and is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant
• No member of his direct family are suitable donors, and the South African database has also proved disappointing in terms of a suitable match
• Ruan’s only chance of survival is investigating a possible match in either Canada or the USA; an extremely costly exercise estimated at around R70,000.00