Cleopatra Leoschut (37), a single mother and police constable in the crime prevention unit from Robertson, Western Cape would give the shirt off her back to help someone in need, says her friend for over a decade, Michelle Brown.
“Cleo always puts others first, whether it’s in her job in the police force, where she has served for almost 12 years, or in her role as a doting mom, to her 6-year-old son, Liam, she has always lived to serve and protect others. I have always admired Cleo’s resilience towards anything that life throws at her.” – says Michelle
In October 2020, Cleo’s life came to a grinding halt, when she found 3 lumps on her breast and was soon after diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.
“I never thought that I would get cancer. You always hear about this stuff but never expect it to happen to you. It took a while for me to accept. I used to cry a lot but not in front of my son and I kept asking God why did this happen to me” – says Cleo
Not one to back down or give up, Cleo went into combat mode to fight her devastating diagnosis.
“One day I felt really sad when I noticed that my hair is starting to fall out, then out of the blue my son came to me, and gave me a hug and said ‘Eks baie lief vir mammie’. He hugged me so tightly as if he’s never going to let go of me and that’s when I decided that I need to get my mind right and fight back” – says Cleo
Cleo finally celebrated being in remission after a successful operation in July 2021. She has now been cancer-free for 13 months.
A little help from a friend
On 12 August 2022, Cleo underwent a skin graft procedure, to repair her damaged tissue after the months of radiation therapy she endured.
Knowing that her friend would be unable to cover the shortfall of the procedure, approximately R11 000, Michelle has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to allow Cleo to recover without additional financial stress.
“With the current economic climate, Cleo and her son live with her parents, and this is money she just doesn’t have. I want nothing more than for my friend to focus on her health and put this traumatic experience behind her.” – says Michelle
“Cleo is truly a role model of what strong will, hard work, a positive mindset and constant faith can do. I want to implore each and everyone reading this to please assist with a donation of any amount towards her medical bills.” – says Michelle
Support Cleo’s campaign on BackaBuddy:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/cleopatra-leoschut
Alternatively, donate Via Snapscan:
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/CleopatraLeoschut
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