Supporting Jaco Pretorius battle against cancer

In late 2024, Jaco believed he was experiencing an abscess in his gums and sought treatment from his dentist, who prescribed antibiotics. Unfortunately, after several rounds of antibiotics, the issue recurred.

After a third visit, the dentist drained the abscess and once again prescribed antibiotics. Following the New Year, Jaco faced the same situation. In February, when his cheek began to swell significantly, he recognized the need for a second opinion. He consulted a different dentist, who referred him to specialists at Joburg Gen Hospital.

After weeks of waking up at 3 a.m. to stand in line by 4 a.m. and undergoing numerous tests and scans, a biopsy confirmed that Jaco has Squamous Cell Carcinoma—a type of skin cancer. He has the aggressive type.If left untreated, this cancer can penetrate deeper layers of the skin and spread to other areas of the body, which has already begun to occur, causing him considerable pain and swelling.

Currently, Jaco is unable to eat and is struggling to speak due to constricted airways caused by the growth and swellin...