Ari’s Cancer Foundation, established in 2012, is run by 10 voluntary committee members and inspired by the life of a vibrant young lady Ariana (Ari), who lost her battle to cancer at the age of 24.

Why ‘live, laugh, love’? Unbeknown to us, this was the motto by which Ari lived. It was only after Ari died and we went through her diary to arrange the memorial service, that we found this phrase all over in her diary. Looking back, she really did embrace this philosophy wholeheartedly, and always reminds us that together, we can make a difference. It’s amazing how these three simple words can hold such significance and promise for the thousands of young adults fighting cancer.

The foundation is affiliated with the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, St Luke’s Hospice and Groote Schuur Hospital, and raises funds for Youth Booths (more on this below) and to provide support for families that are fighting cancer or living with cancer. Many of these families have no financial support, medical aid or medical insurance schemes to cover the high expense of cancer treatment.

In September 2014 Ari’s Cancer Foundation pledged to help the Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) with cancer in South Africa. AYAs are defined as those who are aged between 15 and 39 years old.