The Maties rugby team will be using the Varsity Cup fixture against Ikeys on Monday 5 March to raise awareness for 4-year-old Mihla Engelbrecht. Engelbrecht suffers from Cerebral Neuroblastoma, a very rare form of brain cancer.
The Maties Varsity Cup team will be contributing a percentage of every ticket sold for Monday’s game to the cause. The team named this campaign #Maties4Mihla.
Mihla’s uncle, Neethling Fouché, who represents Maties in the Varsity Cup, brought his niece’s situation to the attention of Varsity Cup captain, Chippy Oelofse.
“[Neethling] told us the story and the team really wanted to help,” Oelofse said. “Maties is a brand that wants to support people. We want to make a difference both on and off the field,” he adds.
Shani Engelbrecht, Mihla’s mother, explained what happened: “On 3 July 2017 Mihla woke up feeling sick, vomiting and complaining of a headache,” “Knowing her as a happy, clever and busy child that has never showed any disturbing symptoms, we are thankful that we took her to our family GP that specific morning.”
4-year-old Mihla Engelbrecht suffers from Cerebral Neuroblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer. According to her parents she used to be a bubbly, cheeky little girl. PHOTO: Photolove Photography
After a number of X-rays, blood tests and a second opinion from a neurosurgeon, the general practitioner eliminated all the warning signs for meningitis.
Rudo Engelbrecht, Mihla’s father, decided to phone both the GP and the neurosurgeon to have a CT scan done immediately. Less than half an hour later the neurosurgeon returned to tell the family that Mihla has an enormous mass in her head. The first surgery took place the very next day.
“Mihla’s form of cancer is extremely rare,” Shani Engelbrecht said. “Articles note that you might come across this brain cancer once in a decade and other articles dating back to the 70’s records only about 75 documented cases,” she adds.
Mihla’s head is now bald due to regular chemotherapy sessions after being diagnosed. PHOTO: Marochelle Smit
Fouché said that Mihla’s diagnosis has taught him a lot. “It opens up a whole new world outside of rugby and studies when you learn about children with cancer.”
According to Fouché this year’s team is hoping that other Varsity Cup teams will follow their initiative and find their own causes to support. “We are hoping that the tradition will live on and that next year’s team will also find a new campaign to help change someone’s life,” he said.
“Sport has the power to bring people together,” Fouché said. “#Maties4Mihla gives those who are not always sure where to give the opportunity to give their part for a great cause,”.
The Varsity Cup team will be meeting with Mihla next week and will walk the road to recovery with her.
The total estimated cost for Mihla’s treatment is $522 356 USD equivalent to R6’211’883.67. A gofundme page named Princess Mihla – Fighting Cancer has been set up for her.
More information on how to donate can be found on the Facebook page MIHLA TRUST.