Cancer-fighting teen inspires drive to help others

Two years after being diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, the 13-year-old Alexander Rhodes from George is turning his own battle into a mission to help others.

- Kristy Kolberg

In September two years ago, the doctors diagnosed Alexander with glioblastoma.

Despite an average prognosis of only 15 months, the Rhodes family refused to give up. Since then, Alexander has undergone two craniotomies at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in Cape Town and completed six weeks of radiation therapy.

In July, however, the doctors confirmed that Alexander's tumour had returned for a third time. Now inoperable, it is pressing against the optic nerve behind his left eye, leaving the Holy Cross Primary School learner clinically blind and unable to attend school.

Throughout his journey, the school has supported him, helping to raise crucial awareness about childhood cancer.