A cancer patient who was unable to carry her own children due to her illness has become a mother – after her best friend offered to be her surrogate.
Amy Cronjé, now 33, received a shocking diagnosis shortly after marrying her husband Roché, 35: she has breast cancer.
Although she was cured after radiation and chemotherapy, a routine check-up a year later revealed that the disease had returned and spread to her bones.
As part of her treatment, the speech therapist prescribed hormone medication, which drastically reduced her chances of ever becoming pregnant.
But when she discovered that Mrs Cronjé, who always wanted to be a mother, was exploring the possibility of using a surrogate mother, Karla Steenekamp immediately signed up.
Amy Cronjé, now 33, was given a shocking diagnosis of breast cancer shortly after marrying her husband, Roché, 35. Pictured: Mrs. Cronjé with her best friend Karla Steenekamp
As part of Mrs. Cronjé’s treatment, the speech therapist was given hormone medication, which drastically reduced her chances of ever becoming pregnant. Pictured: Mrs. Cronjé, her husband Roché, with Karla Steenekamp and Tjaart after the birth of Jack
After successful IVF treatment, the 31-year-old – who already has two sons of his own – gave birth to a baby boy, Jack, in June
After successful IVF treatment, the 31-year-old, who already had two sons of her own, gave birth to a boy, Jack, in June.
Mrs Cronjé spoke about the shocking diagnosis she received: ‘I cried so many nights.
‘The cancer had spread to my bones and the doctors prescribed me hormone medication.
“I felt like all our plans were falling apart.”
One in seven women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. That’s around 56,000 women a year, making it the most common cancer in the UK.
In the US, this number is approximately 300,000 per year.
Of women diagnosed with primary breast cancer, 85 to 90 percent survive the disease for more than five years.
However, secondary breast cancer, or stage four, which accounts for around 16 per cent of all breast cancers in the UK and US, is much more difficult.
This means that the cancer that started in the breast has spread to another part of the body, usually the liver, lungs, brain or bones.
When she discovered that Mrs. Cronjé, who always wanted to be a mother, was looking for a surrogate mother, Karla Steenekamp immediately signed up
Mrs Cronjé froze her embryos before her first chemotherapy treatment in the hope of using a surrogate mother later
According to Cancer Research UK, about a quarter of women with secondary breast cancer survive the cancer for five years or more after being diagnosed.
Both chemotherapy and hormone therapy can affect fertility, making it more difficult to become pregnant.
However, hormone therapies can block or suppress hormones, making women infertile and causing them to enter menopause prematurely.
Mrs Cronjé had her embryos frozen before her first chemotherapy treatment, hoping to use a surrogate mother later.
When Mrs Steenekamp and her husband Tjaart, 34, discovered that the couple were looking for a surrogate mother, they offered their help.
“I didn’t have to think twice about it. I felt the Lord put it in my path and being a mother is amazing,” Mrs. Steenekamp said.
Mrs Steenekamp then began daily hormone injections to prepare her body and in October 2023 the embryo was implanted. Fortunately, IVF was successful on the first attempt. Pictured: Mrs Cronjé and her husband Roché
‘I wanted to give that gift to my friend.’
She was examined by a gynecologist before both couples completed the necessary legal matters, including parental authority.
Mrs Steenekamp then began daily hormone injections to prepare her body and in October 2023 the embryo was implanted.
Fortunately, IVF was successful on the first attempt.
She said: ‘Tjaart supported us completely from the start.
‘He said he saw how much joy our children bring us, why shouldn’t we give it to someone else?
“My youngest son would kiss my belly every morning and night and say hello to Aunt Amy’s baby.”
On June 9, she welcomed a baby boy named Jack Bruce.
Symptoms of breast cancer to look for include lumps and swellings, dimpling of the skin, color changes, discharge, and a rash or crusting around the nipple.
Checking your breasts should be part of your monthly routine so that you can notice any unusual changes. Simply rub and feel from top to bottom, in half circles and in a circular motion around your breast tissue to identify any abnormalities
Mrs Cronjé said that she and Mrs Steenekamp were no longer friends, but sisters.
Despite still undergoing cancer treatments, she remains optimistic.
She added: “It was such a special moment for both of us.”
‘Seeing that little body and knowing that you’ve overcome huge obstacles and that you can call yourself a mother because of your girlfriend… that’s precious.
‘Karla and I have a very unique friendship.
‘You could almost say that we are no longer friends, but sisters.
She added: ‘It was my biggest wish to become a mother. I didn’t think it would be possible, but Karla made it happen.
“It was amazing to know that my boyfriend was willing to sacrifice so much for me.
“We will always be in each other’s lives. I am deeply grateful to her for what she has done.”