Day seven: To the light of Lichtenburg
By Denise Lloyd (Crew member)
The pupils at the different schools in Vryburg were in for a surprise when the Harley girls paid them a visit to spread the good news that breast cancer need not be a death sentence.
The pupils were like sponges, absorbing every word that the riders shared with them. Of course the big machines attracted just as much attention and most of the pupils wanted to touch the Harleys. Sanette and Elsje were very surprised when they walked onto stage and were greeted with “wolf whistles”. Just goes to show what a lady in leathers can do to you.
At some of the schools the riders were nearly mobbed, not because of maliciousness, but because everyone wanted to share in the gifts that were distributed. At one school the pupils were asked who had lost a relative or friend to cancer and as they were handed a Revlon gift of spray, everyone suddenly had someone who died in order to receive the spray!
Then it was saddle up time and together with a group of local riders it was on to Delareyville where another group of bikers were waiting to welcome the girls. They were treated to delicious cup cakes and liquid refreshments before Ronel Taljaardt of Salty Waters handed over a light weight tin to Janie du Plessis. However when the tin was emptied into a packet, it contain a heavy weight amount!
One of the highlights of the Journey for me as part of the crew, was when I got the opportunity to ride with Frieda from Delareyville to Lichtenburg. It was awesome to feel the wind against my face, the tar beneath my body and the total feeling of freedom. I can now understand why most of the Journey of Hope riders find healing on the back of their Harleys.
Then it was time to move on to the light of Lichtenburg, where we found one of the most fabulous cancer clinics in the country (and according to Olade from America maybe even in the world). The Lichtenburg Cancer Clinic looks like something out of a glossy lifestyle magazine to the likes of a “Garden and Home” or “Exclusive Home” and is managed by two “angels” Rene Engelbrecht and Hannelie Nel, who run the clinic with funds and donations from the community. They also collect and sell teddy bears and run a secondhand clothing shop to generate income to keep the clinic going.
Rene, a survivor and one of the Mrs SA 2009 finalists, says that she knows exactly how it feels to walk into a clinical and cold clinic or consulting rooms to receive your chemo. She desperately wanted to improve the environment and create a warm feeling for cancer patients.
Before the first cancer clinic in Lichtenburg opened its doors in 2006 at a site at a church, the cancer patients had to travel to Klerksdorp, Pretoria, Bloemfontein or Johannesburg for consultations or treatments. Many of them could not afford the transport or medical costs and were in desperate need of more accessible treatment.
Then in 2007 a Good Samaritan donated the house with a large beautiful garden in a quiet area which today is known as the “Poena van Niekerk Cancer Unit”. The Journey riders were fortunate enough to meet this generous man at the Friday night function at the clinic.
The motto of the Lichtenburg Cancer Clinic is: “HOPE” and this reminds one that every day is by the grace of God and that you should enjoy life to the fullest and live in blessed abundance.
It is here that the two “angels” Rene and Hannelie have created this safe haven for the cancer patients. All the riders were totally overwhelmed by the cosy and warm atmosphere in the room where the chemo treatment is done. “I can imagine that after having the treatment I could actually walk out the sliding doors into the serenity of the garden and slip into the crisp pool and have a swim” Frieda said.
Lichtenburg was more than aware that the Journey of Hope was in their midst. The schools were thrilled to invite the riders and their Harleys to talk to them and at the Malls pamphlets were distributed and the community was informed about the ways of early detection of breast cancer. The warmth of the community and the pupils once again embraced the riders - by now quite exhausted.
The Cancer Clinic was the hub around which the whole Lichteburg visit was planned. It was also here that Rene and her team opened their house and their hearts to the Journey riders and their support groups - and support they got! A group of more than 40 riders (mostly women) from the Clearwater HOG chapter and from Pretoria and Roodepoort, joined the Journey and brought a huge surprise with them: Elsabe Nel handed over a cheque of R42 000 as a donation to the Journey of Hope. Too fabulous!
To the delight of Olade, there was even a group of riders from Soweto. “I’ve been searching for black women Harley riders since I came to SA three years ago to ride and the only one I encountered was a police woman,” she said.
The visiting ridersl arrived at the evening function dressed up with pink angel wings, pink feather boas or something pink to show exactly how pink their blood is.
They all blended into the décor of the pink and white decorated marquee. During the evening a brand new released CD with the “Journey of Hope Song” as well as “’n Stukkie Son” performed by David Fourie was introduced. Both the songs were written by one of the riders, Adri van Nieuwenhuizen, who also shared her story with the audience.
At the auction the riders as well as the audience opened their pockets and their hearts. Amy bought a painting of the late Marilyn Monroe which was made especially for the Journey at a fat sum to complement the JOH coffers.
It was difficult to tear themselves away from the warm hospitality and love of the community, but the riders had to rest to be ready for the last leg of the Journey into Johannesburg.