The Lou’s Smile Project

In 2014, Lou,my childhood nanny and second mom, was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

With the positivity and determination that I will always remember her for, so began the most difficult and fearful journey I've ever witnessed someone embark on.

As time went on, the fight became more and more difficult, with the prognosis becoming more and more disheartening and discouraging.

Nevertheless, Lou continued to fight her battle.With a smile on her face, she would protect all those around her behind her illuminating and contagious aura of positivity. Despite her suffering, agony and fear, she would always smile and say "I'm feeling much better today."

As her cancer spread to her lungs, spinal cord, bones and eventually her brain, Lou got weaker and was battling to fight the illness with her usual vehemence and so we needed an external aid or force to assist her.

Hospice South Africa is an organisation I had always heard of and had only heard amazing things about. However, I had always been fortunate enough to never need their intervention. As Lou continued to deteriorate with each day, Hospice's helping hand became stronger and stronger. From pain control, honouring her dignity and supporting her family, their impact was magnominous.

Now that Lou has gone, I feel as though the lessons of determination and will power which she taught me throughout her struggle need to be extended in her name.

I'm asking for a donation, of any amount, which I will donate to Hospice to honour her legacy.

With this, we will be helping people from all walks of life, who are all suffering from the same sickness. Whether it be to make them comfortable in their last days, give them the dignity they never thought they could have or support their mourning and grieving families. Mostly, my heart knows that by doing this, I will keep Lou's spirit and smile alive, as she will be looking down from above knowing that kindness still exists in a world amongst such pain.