• Zelnay Liebenberg, 9, and Jordan Gomes, 11, are fighting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after devastating diagnoses turned their families’ worlds upside down.
• Both families face mounting challenges beyond the diagnosis. Jordan’s mother lost her job, and Zelnay’s parents struggle with the emotional toll of watching their daughter battle cancer for a second time.
• BackaBuddy campaigns have raised R72 800 for Zelnay and R300 306 for Jordan, but they need up to R3 million each for immunotherapy and bone marrow transplants.

South Africa has united to help two young cancer patients secure life-saving immunotherapy treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The diagnosis disrupted almost every aspect of life for Zelnay Liebenberg, 9, and Jordan Gomes, 11, who befriended each other while sharing a ward.

Gone were the days of school, sports practice, and playground laughter. Instead, their weekly schedules became packed with hospital tests and intensive therapies aimed at halting the cancer’s progression.

And massive fundraising campaigns continue for both Zelnay and Jordan.

“[Zelnay] just went into maintenance for two weeks. We were so excited. Things were going back to normal. Zelnay could go to school again for the first time. And then we got the news - Zelnay got a relapse,” said Zelnay’s mom, Zanelle Liebenberg, who is carrying her daughter through the throes of treatment.

It all started in March 2025 when Zelnay started presenting flu-like symptoms, such as swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and a fever.

“We took her to doctors. They said they think it’s just the lymph nodes that are swollen because of infection or some kind of virus. So, they gave her antibiotics and some medicine,” said Liebenberg.

After Zelnay completed two courses of different antibiotics by the end of April last year, her condition had not improved. Her parents thought it would be best to consult another doctor.

Upon hearing that the different treatment plans had yielded no results, her home doctor felt that something was deeply wrong and suggested more tests.

“We went back to Lancet. They did quite a few tests on a Friday. On Saturday, [the doctor] said she needs to see us. And then on Sunday, we had an appointment. We met at Mugg and Bean, and she gave us the news that everything came back, that it shows that it’s cancer,” Liebenberg said.

READ | ‘Natural killer’ cell infusion may help leukaemia patients

However, Liebenberg had already seen the results prior to the appointment and was able to conclude that her daughter had cancer. She told some family members what she had seen in the results.

“My husband climbed in the car and just went for a drive, because he was also breaking and already stressed,” she said.

The appointment with the doctor at the restaurant solidified all their fears. Their daughter was sick and would have to undergo aggressive treatment to give her a chance of survival.

“We went home Sunday afternoon, and we told Zelnay. We just broke down there and started crying.”

Liebenberg added:

Grief, anger, bargaining, and an action plan soon followed. Things were looking up for Zelnay, but her cancer returned after a short remission.

On 1 April this year, Zelnay was readmitted, and she has already undergone intensive chemotherapy but needs immunotherapy for the best chance of survival, said Liebenberg.

Immunotherapy is a safer and more targeted treatment option for people fighting leukaemia that helps their immune systems destroy cancer cells.

Jordan Gomes, a boy who loves the beach

This is also the best treatment option for Jordan Gomes, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia just 12 weeks ago.

“It was just absolute devastation, grief, and disbelief,” said Jenna Cohen, Jordan’s mother.

Cohen knew something was wrong during their holiday in December 2025 when Jordan, who usually loves to play in the water, wanted to relax at home instead.

“Normally, we can’t get our son off the beach.

“During that trip, we only went to the beach once or twice because he was saying to me, ‘Mom, I feel tired. Can we just chill? Can we just stay home?’” said Cohen.

Doctor’s visits soon followed as he started experiencing leg pain and slight skin discolouration.

“I took him to our family practitioner, thinking as a mom that he had anaemia because, like most kids his age, he eats quite a beige diet.

“He was not beating down anyone’s door for a salad,” Cohen said.

On 31 January, Jordan’s home doctor confirmed that his white blood count was high and that he had leukaemia.

Jordan was then referred to an oncologist who has been managing his condition with lumbar punctures, bone marrow aspirations, and now chemotherapy.

“The first chemotherapy protocol didn’t work. It still showed a lot of active cancer.

“Jordan’s cancer cell, which is already a mutation, has an additional mutation. That’s why it is not responding to chemotherapy,” said Cohen.

During this time, Cohen lost her job.

“I wrestled with it, but I had to start a BackaBuddy [campaign] because we literally needed to keep the lights on at home,” said Cohen.

Zelnay and Jordan have both received support on their BackaBuddy campaigns for funds towards getting life-changing treatment.

Zelnay’s campaign currently sits at R 72 800, while Jordan’s campaign sits at R300 306.

“[Immunotherapy] costs up to R3 million. We need to try and get that funding to do that with the bone marrow transplant, to try and save her life,” said Liebenberg.

If you would like to help, visit the BackaBuddies at the links just above, or email feelgood@news24.com.