Creashy Maart donates R10,000 to help children with cancer in Blikkiesdorp
Creashy Maart
Image: Facebook
A selfless act by a brave Mitchells Plain teenager has brought warmth and hope to two little cancer fighters living in harsh conditions in Blikkiesdorp.
Despite being told there was nothing more doctors could do for her, 19-year-old Creashy Maart chose to donate R10, 000, money meant for her own treatment, to the Kids-Can Cancer Foundation to help repair the leaking roofs of two young children battling cancer.
The funds went towards helping four-year-old Layla Blaauw, who is battling stage 4 neuroblastoma, and Matayo, aged one year and nine months, who is fighting leukaemia.
When Maart shared her message of hope on Friday, she never imagined the impact her story would have across Cape Town.
Four-year-old Layla Blaauw
Image: Facebook
The teenager, who was diagnosed with cancer in January, said the support she received from strangers had left her overwhelmed.
“Seeing everyone share my story has been amazing. It makes me feel inspired and it’s heartwarming,” she said.
She said she almost decided against giving a speech on Sunday after feeling unwell, but something pushed her to continue.
“My chest was tight, and then I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it. Then something told me, ‘Do it, you can’. And after I made the decision, I felt so calm, and I felt better.”
Matayo
Image: Facebook
Maart, who was diagnosed with lung issues when she was just two weeks old and received new lungs last year, later shared on her Back-a-Buddy page that doctors had discovered Kaposi sarcoma on her lungs.
Despite her own health battle, she said her focus remained on inspiring others.
“My message is to keep fighting. I want to help those who don’t have a voice and those who can’t speak for themselves,” she said.
Kids-Can Cancer Foundation founder Kaashief Lakay described Maart’s donation as deeply moving.
He explained that the foundation, born from his own experience with cancer, works closely with children and families facing similar battles.
“When we connect with cancer kids, we go into their homes and do a needs analysis. We try to uplift their lives and living conditions. We walk the journey with them until remission, or sadly, when they pass on, in which case we assist with burial as well,” Lakay said.
He said the foundation had recently visited Layla and Matayo’s homes in Blikkiesdorp, where difficult living conditions were making their cancer journeys even harder.
“Because of Creashy’s kindness, these babies will now have a little more warmth, dignity and hope,” Lakay said.
He added that the foundation hoped Maart would one day meet the two little fighters when she was strong enough.
“Even in her darkest moments, she continues to become the light in someone else’s life,” he said. “Creashy has reminded all of us what true love, courage and humanity look like.”