Chrizé Boonzaier and Alex-Zel Hahn Image: Taygon Sass, UWC

Two women connected by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) also share an intrinsic bond: the fight against cancer. UWC first-year student Chrizé Boonzaier has found some motivation and inspiration from an alumna who has faced similar health challenges to hers.

First-year student Boonzaier is currently receiving treatment for stage 1 aggressive cancer after discovering a lump in her breast. She recently met Alex-Zel Hahn, who overcame childhood cancer and persevered through high school to graduate with her Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Sports Science from UWC.

In a quiet room on campus, the two women sat down for a conversation that bridged years of pain, health issues, hope, and healing. What began as a simple meeting became a profound moment of connection as their health and study journeys were similar.

Hahn was just 14 years old when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. A promising young athlete and netball player, her life changed overnight. 

“I was playing netball when my dad noticed something was off with my eye,” she recalled. “After a series of scans, they found the tumour. I didn’t even understand what it meant back then.”

UWC alumna and cancer survivor Alex-Zel Hahn inspired first-year student Chrizé Boonzaier. Image: Taygon Sass, UWC

She missed most of Grade 9, underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, and had to learn how to walk, speak, and write all over again. 

“I literally became a baby again,” she said. “But I made it through with the support of my family, my school, and later, UWC.” Hahn found a community at UWC that embraced her. 

“I had a close group of friends who supported me. That made all the difference,” she said.

Today, she is a mother to a three-year-old daughter, Hannah: “Doctors told my parents I wouldn’t be able to have children. But we prayed, and six years later, He answered. I fell pregnant naturally.”

Hahn’s story resonates with Boonzaier, who, when she discovered she had stage one aggressive cancer, took immediate action when doctors advised her to consult a gynaecologist due to the potential impact of chemotherapy on her fertility. Doctors were able to extract 28 eggs, with 20 successfully frozen.

She said: “I always make the joke that I’ll one day have two netball teams of children.” 

These procedures were made possible through a Back-a-Buddy crowdfunding campaign, which covered the significant costs involved that Boonzaier would not have been able to cover.

As a first-year BSc student, hearing Hahn’s story inspired Boonzaier and gave her even more positive motivation. In a world where illness can very easily isolate, their conversation reminded them of the power of shared experience in a world where illness can very easily isolate.  “I value everyone I meet,” said Boonzaier. “Each person adds a little more hope.”

Both women connected on their shared love of netball, and Boonzaier was eager to share that she was slowly returning to court. “Right now it’s just socially, so I played last week, and I hope to play again soon,” she said. Hahn shared the toll that cancer treatments took on the body, and Boonzaier promised that she would not exert herself. Juggling her first-year student calendar and treatments was an adjustment for Boonzaier, and Hahn could relate.

She fondly recalled the emotional scenes at her graduation in 2014 and the support she received from the academic staff. She encouraged Boonzaier to keep up her strength and take one day at a time. Boonzaier started documenting her health journey and cancer treatment on social media and received positive support from the UWC staff and student community.