Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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author
Jaun Gouws
I was born in Pietersburg, close to the mighty Limpopo river, which serves as the northern border between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Although the town was declared a city in my early teens, somehow...view moreI was born in Pietersburg, close to the mighty Limpopo river, which serves as the northern border between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Although the town was declared a city in my early teens, somehow I always saw it as a small town. I spend most of my free time in the bushveld on local game farms. Seeing antelope, and the Big 5 was a normal occurrence, I only really came to appreciate when I started travelling the world. One never realize how fortunate you are until you get older, travel and share your childhood stories with others. My 1st degree I majored in Psychology, Criminology and African Languages and completed my Honors degree in Psychology through the University of South Africa.
Everybody in the city knew my dad. He was the one everybody would invite to events, to get things 'started'. The 'elder' where everyone would go to better understand any subject. Jack of all trades and master of all! Never ever did I hear a complaint from his mouth or a bad word uttered about anyone. He a constant smile on his face, with a clear youthfulness, which earned him the nickname 'Peter Pan'. His father passed away, just after he left school and being the only son, with five sisters, studying further wasn't an option. He immediately got a job, and financed his sisters 'dreams', even if their dreams were tertiary education.
He has always been my idol and inspiration in everything I did, and still today the reason I do research and write down my finding regarding this mysterious 'killing monster'; we call Cancer.
He was diagnosed in 2002 with Leukemia and through grace he was borrowed to us for another 7 years. After the diagnoses, I made a promise to myself to do whatever I can, to help make people aware of this disease and how we can fight it, i.e. by just making small changes in our lives. If I can prevent only one person from escaping this dreadful disease, I know my dad will be proud!view less