COVID-19 has left no one untouched – whether it’s someone battling the disease, losing a loved one, or experiencing general anxiety and fear that is gripping the globe.
There are rays of light and hope amid the chaos and uncertainty. A young Cape Town Doctor is one such example of hope.
29-year-old doctor Kirstin Riley lives a life of love. She came to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital for her community service year.
When she was moved to the Burns Unit, she was a little overwhelmed as children of all ages are treated for all kinds of burns from slight to dire.
After two months she found her footing and never left. Now the medical officer of the Burns Unit, not even cancer could keep her away.
Dr Riley says the children in the unit are inspiring. “The children there are so inspiring. If they can get through this, I can get through this and I needed to be here to see that; for them to help me get through my illness and to help them get through their illness. We’re supporting each other and I can’t imagine being anywhere else during this time.”
Dr Riley was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer at the beginning of 2020. Following surgery and chemotherapy, she was back in the Burns Unit after just six weeks.
She would not stay at home, even when the COVID-19 pandemic landed on our shores. Refusing to give in to self-pity or fear, she continues to treat patients.
“I don’t think I could ever prepare for it or be prepared for it, which to a certain extent, actually helped me treat patients going forward because I’ve got a better understanding of what they’re going through and how I can help them. So it’s made me a lot more relatable.”
The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital is one of the best of its kind in the world. Its staff has always been dedicated and Dr Riley is no exception.
“Showing up for work every day and just being an example to all other staff. We’re also a training hospital, we have many junior staff coming through here and training and having someone like Dr Riley being an example to all our staff has been absolutely wonderful for us,” says Dr Anita Parbhoo, Medical Manager at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
The mother of a one-year-old baby is afraid of possibly contracting COVID-19 and taking it home to her family, but she follows safety protocols stringently and soldiers on. She does not want to be referred to as a hero.
“I’m no hero. I’m really not, but you are. The kids that I see, the staff that I work with; they are the heroes, they are the ones that have been supporting me through all of this, supporting our kids, being my life line. I’m not the hero; they are.”
Dr Riley will find out this week if the cancer is in remission. But no matter the outcome, you will find her on duty in the place that heals both children and hope.
Dr Kirstin Riley gives hope to children in Burns Unit, despite battling cancer:
