Asked what he wanted to do before going for his umpteenth brain-cancer treatment, Christian Steenkamp (21) had only two wishes.
He wanted to go to his former high school’s upcoming rugby game and he wanted some pizza.
Steenkamp had no idea he would soon be the star of a viral video, showing learners cheering him on to the rugby field.
“It’s amazing,” his mother, Niki Denner, says about Stellenberg High School’s decision to welcome him onto the field, cheering him on while he uses a walker to get past cheering learners.
In the video Steenkamp beams while cheerleaders sing and dance behind him and learners clap.
The moment was organised by head boy and rugby player Phoenix de Villiers, who received help from Steenkamp’s brother, Aaron.“He’s getting so much love,” Denner said.
“It’s important to get that morale boost.”Christian found out last week he has three new tumours on his brain. He is going back to hospital on Tuesday 21 May for treatment.“We’re going to be in the ICU ward for the week,” she said.
“The support is just amazing, as it does so much for the mental side of things.”
The eldest of four siblings, Steenkamp was diagnosed a rare form of cancer, Grade 4 Medulloblastoma, at just 19 years old in 2022. His tumour had also spread to his spinal cord.He suffered a gruelling few years of near-endless treatments afterwards, including 27 rounds of radiation.
There was a brief period of rest, and Christian got to a stage where he was tested for cancer only every four months. His scan in January was still clear.
- The family has struggled with his medical bills since he was first diagnosed, with medical aid paying only a fraction of the cost. For more information or to make a donation, visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/christian-steenkamp or contact Niki on 079 183 5006 or email niki@inkt.co.za.
