Able Mdhluli survived cancer as a child and this inspired her to study medicine to help others like her.
The 21-year-old medical student just completed her second year of medicine at Saratov State Medical University in Russia where she is studying on a scholarship.
Her inspiring story has led to non-profit organisation Cupcakes of Hope naming a cancer care package after her. The package comes shaped as a lion and is called Able the Lion.
“I was 13 when I was diagnosed with leukaemia. It was unexpected because I was an active child who loved playing sports like netball,” she said.
Mdhluli said she fainted after a netball game and ended up being diagnosed with the cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow
“I had to drop out of school in October of 2013 and I had to live away from my family for more than half a year,” she said.
Mdhluli, who grew up in Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga, had to move to Johannesburg to get medical treatment and lived at the Childhood Cancer Foundation SA, which offers support to families of children who are suffering from cancer and blood disorders.
“I saw my family twice a month because I had to stay in Johannesburg to get my chemotherapy and radiation,” said Mdhluli.
The young medical student said this was tough on her emotionally and she was able to stay strong because of the care she got from doctors and nurses.
“It was a lot for me emotionally. Even when I speak about it now all the emotions come back. When you are 13 you are a teenager but still a little child and a lot was going on with my body, from puberty to being sick,” she said.
“I always wanted to be a doctor even before I got sick but then it was because that was a career I thought I would be able to make a lot of money in, but after I got sick I realised that this is a career for people who care about the wellbeing of others.”
Mdhluli said she got closer to her father during her illness because he would travel the most to visit her while her mother stayed home to look after her siblings.
“It was hard because I lost my hair because of the chemo, and I had to get used to the new me. In fact, my father is the one who cut my hair and that made us really close,” she said.
After a season of hardship Mdhluli went into remission when she was in Grade 10.
“Because it’s very competitive to go into medicine in SA, I went to Russia when the opportunity presented itself. I thought it would be a new experience. My cancer made me realise how strong I am and it changed almost everything about me. I am brave and more open minded,” she said.
When she completes her degree she will return to SA to practise.
Her father Lyson said he was glad his daughter’s dreams were coming true.
“To tell you the truth, for a few years I thought I would lose my daughter but she is still alive due to God’s grace. I am so glad she is fulfilling her dream of becoming a doctor,” said Lyson.
Executive director of Russian African Centre of University Studies SA Dr Protus Kum confirmed her studies.
“We can confirm as the official service provider for the Mpumalanga provincial government that Mdhluli is studying medicine in Russia. She is on a scholarship paid for by the government,” said Kum.
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