Sam Stewart, a 48-year-old International External Affairs Manager from Plumstead, has been on a roller coaster journey of challenges, victories, and an unwavering spirit that refuses to surrender.
Nineteen years ago in 2005, Sam received a devastating diagnosis—breast cancer with a mere 7% chance of survival and only six months to live. Against all odds, she triumphed over cancer, not just for herself but for countless others facing the same battle.
Pictured above: Sam Stewart
“Sam was in a complete state of shock and disbelief when she found out that she had cancer. She was coerced into having surgery by the surgeon without any second opinion. A decision she regrets as she knows now that the surgeon only gets paid for surgery. Not for making the patient think of options. She knows that cancer is now behind her but this is after having been 152 times to the chemo room over 10 years. Sam is now on only natural health remedies.” says Natalie Dreisenstock, a long time friend of Sam who took the incredible initiative to share Sam’s story with everyone who would listen.
Sam’s tenacity extended beyond her personal triumph as she fought for the right treatment, forming an NGO that aids patients in navigating the complexities of medical aid treatments. This organisation, born from her own struggle, continues to be a spark of hope for those in need.
In the midst of this noble endeavour, Sam and her husband Allan (59), faced a different kind of adversity during the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic—financial ruin. The couple were in a very stable financial position and Sam left her corporate job with Hewlett Packard (HP) to focus on her true passion of motivational speaking and her NGO SoulSync assisting cancer patients to access treatment. Allan had been employed for over 7 years with a large South African IT company, as the Regional Executive for the Cape Region.
Pictured above: Sam and her husband, Allan enjoying a night out
“The hardest part about losing everything is your pride, the best part of it is how liberating it is to be free of all the consumer driven expenses that mean absolutely nothing really. We were forced to look at what really matters in life, we learnt to live on next to nothing and our relationship just got stronger and stronger as the only thing we really had was one another.” says Allan.
At the end of 2019, Allan received an excellent offer to join a global IT Organisation. By March 2020 Covid and the associated national and international lockdowns took the world by storm, and Allan found himself a casualty of the global cutbacks, so many of us experienced. He left the company in October 2020 and since then has applied for countless positions and attempted to start his own business. For some time they survived on savings, but ultimately ended up living with friends or house-sitting to keep a roof over their heads.
In August 2023 Sam found a permanent position with World Animal Protection and they were finally able to rent a home, having moved an astounding 19 times in just two and a half years, and get on to medical aid again. Allan has been putting all his energy into getting his 2 businesses, Flowte Franchise and SalesSync, a coaching business, off the ground.
Pictured above: Sam and Allan Stewart
“I was ecstatic when I got the job. It was such a wonderful time, I was finally going to do something for animals which is my biggest passion and joy. Getting this job also meant having medical aid and a place to stay and start over again.” says Sam
However, just as they glimpsed a positive turn, fate dealt a cruel blow—Sam suffered a hemorrhagic stroke on February 4th 2024.
The stroke, a severe deep brain bleed in the basal ganglia, left Sam paralyzed on her right side and robbed her of speech. Allan, who is an ex-medic, acted swiftly, and managed to get Sam to emergency care within 15 minutes. Though Sam has made some progress in her recovery, her ability to conduct business conversations, read, spell, or grasp complex concepts remains impaired.
The problem they face now is Sam will unlikely be able to work for the next 8 months to a year, and it is critical that during her recovery they have sufficient income to pay for medical aid and rent. Allan will have to act as Sam’s primary care-giver as they cannot afford full time care, and that will impact his ability to work.
Pictured above: Sam in hospital after her stroke
Navigating the complexities of the medical system has become yet another battle for the couple. The medical aid, despite being legally obligated to cover Sam’s condition as a prescribed minimum benefit, has proven challenging as they tried in every possible way to delay the authorisation for the emergency. Their fight for authorization, therapies, and proper care is ongoing, adding to the mounting pressure on both Sam and Allan.
Amidst this struggle, Allan has put his businesses on hold to focus on Sam’s recovery. Sam’s own employment is at risk due to the obvious challenges she faces. The couple, demonstrating resilience and commitment, face each day with determination, love, and strength, even as time works against them.
Now, a call for support echoes through their story. Friends, family, and well-wishers are rallying to raise R300 000 through a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy where they have already managed to raise over R80 000 with the help of 27 incredible donors.
Pictured above: Sam enjoying being surrounded by nature and sunshine
The money raised will alleviate financial burdens, cover medical expenses beyond the aid rates, provide necessary care, and supplement lost revenue from work. The hope is to ease the financial strain, granting Sam the time and resources needed for a thorough recovery—estimated to be no less than eight months and potentially exceeding a year.
“The generosity and kindness that has been shown to us is overwhelming. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We’ve been through tough and defining times before and we are determined to get through this challenge with flying colours. Watch out for Sam 2.0, the upgrade who will emerge. Without your help this would be near to impossible.” concludes Allan.