Durban woman defies odds to help fellow cancer survivors
A Pinetown woman has continued to defy the odds, after a devastating breast cancer diagnosis six years ago. Gisele Houpe will walk 5kms to raise funds for NGO the Pink Drive.
The 46-year-old, who’s had a double mastectomy, will rely solely on her walker when she sets off from Durban’s North Beach tomorrow morning.
Show your support for Gisele & PinkDrive by sponsoring Gisele to walk 5km. Gisele will walk with a walker. “Me and my Floppy Leg are looking for sponsorship of R10 per kilometer”. All funds raised will go to PinkDrive. 9 August 2020. https://t.co/zAJGcvo7Qz or Debbie 066 202 6269 pic.twitter.com/w7dSp0YebP
— The Pink Drive (@ThePinkDrive) July 30, 2020
Speaking to us for our special Women’s Month report, the former bodybuilder says her daily battle with cancer began in 2014, and since then, she’s encountered other health issues, has suffered a stroke, and experienced constant blackouts.
She hopes to increase breast cancer awareness tomorrow and early detection.
Houpe, who’s also had chemotherapy and a lumpectomy has encouraged other cancer patients saying their scars do not define them.
"If I can give one person encouragement to get up and go for another chemo session then so be it," she said.
"If I can give them enough faith that your body does not make who you are, don't be afraid of your bald head, do not be afraid of your scars, it doesn't make who you are. It just makes you more perfect in my eyes," said Houpe.
And she says we should celebrate life this Women's Month, "I still have so much to live for. When I wake every morning and I see this beautiful new dawn and I think wow! I'm here for another day," she said.
"I'm here to make a difference in someone else's life, if I can just put one foot in front of the other, if I can get up and go and try to make a positive change in everyone else's lives, then all this is worth it."
Houpe has turned to art to express her pain and fears.
She said the stronger the support, the stronger the fight against cancer, "No one goes through this journey on their own, no one fights alone. There are so many support groups out there, all you have to do is reach out."
"I'm unfortunate that I can't have children but I know there are so many people out there with children and families and I know it's tiring, I know it hurts and I know you want to give up but for me, I don't fight for myself the way that I fight for others and they need to think about fighting for others as well."
Click below to listen to the full interview:
