This teen has volunteered his time and run the CANSA Relay for Life several times in honour of cancer survivors, not knowing he himself would fall victim to the dreaded disease.
Last year, in a twist of fate, 16-year-old Aqeel Hope was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer just a week after joining in the Cansa Relay.
He had developed a huge swelling on his neck, and lost all of his hair as a result of the chemotherapy he had to undergo.
The Grade 11 pupil at Rylands High School subsequently had to drop out of school as he fought his illness, but miraculously still managed to pass the grade.
The teen says he lost several relatives to cancer, hence his involvement with Cansa.
Aqeel says his worst fear came true on 13 April 2018 when he was diagnosed with cancer.
“I was in the mosque for Jumu’ah (Friday prayers) and felt this lump in my neck, it was extraordinarily big and it had me worried,” he says.
UITGEVAT: Aqeel Hope and partner Ashiqa Ploker had a ball at Rylands High matric dance. Picture: Supplied
“It turned out to be Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which is cancer in your lymph nodes.
“It was shocking because there were family members in the past that passed away because of cancer, so it hit my parents extremely hard.
“I spent most of the last year studying while being on treatment, which was really hard.
“I was told in the beginning that the treatment would spike my emotions, so it was hard to focus.”
But the brave boy says he accepted his fate and simply soldiered on.
“If this is what Allah has put aside for me, then so be it, I’m satisfied with His grace.”
The family suffered a further blow when his dad was put on "short time" at work, placing a financial burden on all of them.
Wanting to give Aqeel a beautiful farewell to his school career, members of his extended family took to Facebook to put out a call for help for the cancer warrior, and radio DJ Stan Mars, car club The Hoppers and some others responded.
“Stan told me about all the planning that went down behind my back,” says Aqeel with a smile.
SURPRISE: Aqueel with the Slantic Toyota club. Picture: Supplied
Last Friday, Aqeel was driven to his ball at the CTICC in Stan’s 2019 BMW M4 with a convoy of 20 bakkies from the Slantic Toyota Club.
RIDE: Aqueel's Toyota convoy. Picture: Supplied
Aqeel was uitgevat in a navy blue checked suit and white shirt while his partner Ashiqa Ploker wore a slinky black gown.
Stan says: “What an absolute honour to be of service to an incredible young man that has made his education a priority. Keep doing your best and stay positive.”
Aqeel, who is in remission, says he is currently applying for bursaries as he is hoping to study computer programming.
venecia.america@inl.co.za