National Cancer Survivor Day: Josh's Second Chance at Life

What was meant to be a simple check at the doctor, ended up being a life altering discovery when the 29-year-old cancer survivor was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), in the middle of his Finance Degree at the University of Cape Town.

A diagnosis that changed everything

Like many young adults, Joshua Waite dismissed the signs that something might be wrong. Exhaustion, dark circles under his eyes and a lack of energy all seemed like the result of a demanding varsity lifestyle.

Then, everything changed. A routine blood test revealed he had blood cancer, and within three days Josh was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).

“The day after that first blood test, I went on a fishing trip with my buddies to Langebaan. I was sitting on a boat drinking beers in the sun, struggling to catch a single fish, when the doctor called and said I needed to come back in for more tests. My life changed from that moment on and has never been the same” he recalls.

His parents suddenly found themselves travelling constantly between Franschhoek and Cape Town while continuing to run two restaurants. His younger brother was preparing for matric examinations, while his 12-year-old sister tried to understand what was happening to her older brother.

Joshua and his Mother, Lisa Waite

Within a day of receiving his diagnosis, Josh began treatment. Over the months that followed, he underwent six rounds of intensive chemotherapy, monthly spinal taps and more than 30 blood and platelet transfusions.

Strict infection-control measures limited his ability to socialise, travel and participate in normal activities. Most of his time was spent between hospital appointments, temporary accommodation in Cape Town and home in Franschhoek.

“After my diagnosis, everything stopped. My world shrunk down to three places: an apartment in Cape Town with my mom or dad, the hospital, and home in Franschhoek. And worst of all, the car between those three places,” he says.

The stranger who gave him second chance

As treatment progressed, doctors began searching for a stem cell donor. His siblings were tested first before the search expanded to the global stem cell registry. Fortunately, a match was found. Remarkably, Josh's best unrelated donor match was a young woman living in Cape Town, the same city as him. At the time, it was the first South African-on-South African unrelated stem cell donor match in more than five years.

“Funny enough, the best match in the entire world happened to be a lady not much older than I am now, living right here in Cape Town.” says Josh.

In November 2018, Josh received a life-saving stem cell transplant. Despite the physical and emotional challenges of recovery, he experienced no major complications and was discharged after 21 days.

Turning survival into purpose

Through supporting DKMS Africa donor drives and awareness campaigns, Josh hopes to encourage more young people to register as potential stem cell donors.

His involvement became deeply personal after mentoring a young matric learner who was diagnosed with leukaemia and later lost his life when the disease returned.

“If I can be the reason one person in a room signs up, and that person goes on to save someone else, then it feels like the right way to honour both him and my donor,” he says.

This Youth Month, Josh hopes more young South Africans will recognise the power they hold to make a difference. A few minutes of their time could one day mean a lifetime for someone else.