Natasha's story has happy ending

Bobbi Sands

CANCER survivor Natasha Dix-Peek was the guest of honour at the Wear your Dream Dress gala evening on Saturday.
The very shy 18-year-old took to the red carpet in her midnight blue gown made by her mother’s friend.
Natasha is a recipient of a dream from the Reach for a Dream Foundation – she enjoyed a picnic at Shamwari with her family.
“Saturday night was so great but I was terribly nervous to walk down that red carpet,” said Natasha who attended her farewell at Framesby High School at the end of September.
She has been in remission since January 2010.
The day Natasha was diagnosed with cancer in April 2009 is forever etched in her mother’s mind.
“She had been complaining about stomach ache and I got home one day from work to find her rolling around on her bed,” said Eureka.
“I took her to out-patients at Provincial Hospital and they told me my child was 38 weeks pregnant,” said an emotional Eureka.
“I was so angry I did not know what to say, I just knew my child was not pregnant.”
Urine tests suggested Natasha was pregnant but a scan at Dora Nginza showed the grizzly picture of a huge tumour in her stomach. “The staff were great and arranged for us to go to Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town to have the tumour removed.”
Eureka said they could not afford the trip to Cape Town but customers at the Wimpy in Sunridge Park where she used to work, heard about her plight and their donations covered their petrol costs.
“I even received a bible from one customer with a donation inside and as a single mother struggling to make ends meet it was like my prayers had been answered.”
At Groote Schuur doctors removed a 6kg tumour from Natasha’s stomach.
In July she started chemo therapy and has been in remission since January last year.
“She lost all her hair and was so depressed and despondent and when Reach for a Dream fulfilled her dream it raised her spirits,” said Eureka.
“As a parent it was so difficult to watch this happen. She is my baby and I am grateful to everyone at the state hospitals who showed us the utmost respect and took good care of Natasha.”
Natasha is busy writing her exams and said people did not realise how much it means to a person who is sick to have their dream made true.
“They do such great work, it just makes my heart warm thinking about it,” said a very tearful Natasha.
“It’s fantastic that so many people are willing to give to help change the life of a child who is sick.”