Cape Town - Condolences have been pouring in for Grassy Park teen Chelsea Geen who lost her battle to cancer in hospital on Sunday.
The grieving family of the 15-year-old said they found out she had cancer after she fell while learning to ride a bicycle on her 12th birthday. Her mother, Melanie Geen, said her arm had to be amputated the following year.
“Shortly after her 13th birthday we were told the cancer returned and was more aggressive, they also told us they found two lesions on her left lung and one on the right.
Unfortunately, she had to have her arm amputated.
We were very shocked and felt a little hopeless when we made the discovery,” said Geen.
“She was an absolutely amazing girl, extremely optimistic and positive about her situation. She had an unwavering and strong, joyous spirit.
A lesson that we all should take from this is that Chelsea, even though in tremendous pain and suffering, always focused on others, trying to motivate and be an inspiration instead of expecting people to focus on her medical condition.
Chelsea had the ability to brighten your day with just a smile,” she said.
Geen said the family were coping after her death. “We are all good and coping. Chelsea made sure she had time for each of us,” she said.
Deputy chairperson of the Grassy Park community policing forum, Nicole Jacobus, extended her condolences.
“On behalf of the Grassy Park community policing forums and greater Grassy Park, we would like to extend our condolences to Chelsea’s family.
We all know the battle that many go through with such an illness, that can happen to anyone at any age.
It’s important to go for those regular checks. We trust and pray that the family will find peace during this sad time,” said Jacobus.
The funeral will be held on Saturday in Grassy Park.
Cape Times