When Thabo had cancer is a uniquely South African book dispelling myths and reassuring children undergoing treatment for cancer

Thabo is a young boy with a passion for playing soccer. When Thabo feels unwell his mother takes him to hospital in the city and he is diagnosed with cancer.

They are told he needs to stay at the hospital to receive treatment.

Away from his mother, his family and everything he has ever known, Thabo feels sad and anxious. However, he soon makes new friends who are also receiving treatment for cancer and who understand how he is feeling. He discovers there are many people who want to help him get well again.

The purpose of the book is to reassure children who need to spend an extended period of time in hospital receiving treatment and to dispel myths around a cancer diagnosis.

A Uniquely South African story

PatchSA has partnered with CANSA TLC to create this uniquely South African story book, written by Véronique Garbutt and Sue Boucher and beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle McClunan. It aims to address myths attached to a cancer diagnosis, and to reassure children who may need to spend long periods of time away from home receiving treatment. The book includes easy-to-understand information on cancer, warning signs, information on cancer treatments and the benefits of palliative care when a child has cancer.

Palliative Care for Children book cover
Palliative Care for Children book cover

Published in collaboration with CANSA TLC

The book has been published as a collaborative effort between Palliative Care for Children South Africa and CANSA TLC. The printed version of the book is available for purchase from the PatchSA website. A PDF version of the book can be downloaded for free from both the PatchSA and CANSA websites and is presently available in English, isiZulu, and Afrikaans, with additional translations in progress.

Preview

Preview a selection of the beautifully illustrated pages from the book.

Download the book for free

The book may be downloaded as a PDF

The PDF version of the book may be downloaded and shared freely with accurate attribution. You may not use any part of the material for commercial purposes. The book is available in English, Afrikaans and isiZulu.

When Thabo had cancer (English)

This PDF version of the book may be downloaded and shared freely with accurate attribution. You may not use any part of the material for commercial purposes.  CLICK HERE to download the book as a PDF or click on the image to read it as a flip book.

Toe Thabo kanker gehad het (Afrikaans)

This PDF version of the book may be downloaded and shared freely with accurate attribution. You may not use any part of the material for commercial purposes.  CLICK HERE to download it as a PDF or click on the image to read it as a flip book.

Ngenkathi uThabo enomdlavuza (isiZulu)

This PDF version of the book may be downloaded and shared freely with accurate attribution. You may not use any part of the material for commercial purposes.  CLICK HERE to download as a PDF and on the image to read as a flip book.

Purchase the printed version of the book

The printed version of the book is available to purchase and can be delivered within South Africa. It has been printed on high quality gloss paper and the size is 170mm x 240mm. Presently only the English version is available to purchase.

  • Should you wish to purchase a bulk order (10 or more books) please send an email to info@patchsa.org to negotiate a discount.
  • Should you wish to purchase the book from outside of South Africa, please send an email to info@patchsa.org and we will investigate the costs of postage and delivery.

Book price

  1. R70 for a printed copy of the book When Thabo had cancer

Postage & Packaging costs

  1. R50 per book for registered mail via the South African Post Office
  2. R100 via Aramex Store to Door Courier Service for up to 25 books