Our Team

JENNIFER GEEL

Prof Jennifer Geel is the Founder and Chair of CARE. She is currently the acting head of unit of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. She heads the Wits Paediatric Fund and is the Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Cancer Control and Prevention. She is enrolled for a PhD investigating whether a combination of affordable blood tests can be substituted for a PET-CT for Hodgkin lymphoma in areas with limited resources. She is a terrible cyclist who has raised hundreds of thousands of rands through her dogged persistence, completely lacking any sense of style, in the Telkom 947 race and Hollard Mountain Bike Adventure races.

KHUMO MYEZO

Ms Khumo Myezo is the research coordinator for the CMJAH Division of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology. She is completing a Master’s in Bioethics and has a passion for oncology research incorporating ethical principles. She believes strongly in social justice and access to quality health care. She writes poetry and drinks fine wines in her spare time.

SHAEGAN IRUSEN

Dr Shaegan Irusen is the acting head of unit of Paediatric Nephrology at CMJAH, and the Deputy Chair of the Wits Paediatric Fund. He is an energetic and committed mentor and supervisor and incorporates sport and health by fundraising through large-scale events such as the Warrior Race. He goes to Cross-Fit every spare moment he can find.

BERNARD GOODWIN

Dr Goodwin is a well-loved member of the Paediatric Haematology-Oncology. He is a tireless and committed teacher and mentor and doesn’t know the meaning of the word “no”. His wicked sense of humour and unfailing compassion are legendary.

NOMVULA (VIRGINIA) MNYANDU

Nomvula, better known as Mam’ VG, is a social auxiliary worker who is herself a bereaved parent. She understands what children with cancer and their parents go through better than anyone, and keeps us on the straight and narrow. She is the moral compass of the group, a strict but loving mom who’s not afraid to say it like it is.

THANDEKA NGCANA

Dr Thandeka Ngcana is a paediatric oncologist based at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. She is a proud advocate for children’s rights and access to quality care, as well as social justice and transformation. She completed her Master’s degree on outcomes of children with osteosarcoma and has a bright research future ahead of her. She will do anything (legal) to help fund research for childhood cancer in South Africa.

CHANTEL LOWRY

Chantel Lowry is a social worker based on Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre and has a wealth of experience of clinical and academic work. She recently completed a Master’s degree on the perceived influences of cultural practices on caregivers coping ability when their child is diagnosed with cancer.

Current Investigator-Led Research

1. The feasibility of introducing a harmonised treatment regimen, comparing affordable blood tests and PET CT scans, to improve two year survival rates in children, adolescents and young adults with Hodgkin lymphoma in South Africa. SACCSG HL-2018 National PI: Prof Jennifer Geel, University of the Witwatersrand

2. Treating malignant extracranial germ cell tumours in South Africa. SACCSG MECGCT-2018 National PI: Prof Marc Hendricks, University of Cape Town

3. National Retinoblastoma Treatment Protocol National PI: Prof Mariana Kruger, University of Stellenbosch

4. Evaluation of CHOC Volunteer Programme at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital PI: Mrs Jillian Graham, CHOC Volunteer Coordinator

5. Delay in Diagnosis in Paediatric Oncology during the SARS-CoV 2 Pandemic at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital”. PI: Ms Rumaanah Osman, GEMP III student, University of the Witwatersrand

6. The Spectrum of Paediatric Chronic Kidney Disease in Johannesburg PI: Ms Hayley Wright, GEMP III student, University of the Witwatersrand

7. SIOP global mapping programme – palliative care PI: Ms Khumo Myezo

8. SIOP Global mapping of African paediatric oncology resources PI: Prof Jennifer Geel

9. Inherited cancer predisposing mutations in a cohort of childhood cancer patients PI: Prof Amanda Krause

International Clinical Trials

1. An Open-label, Uncontrolled, Multicenter Phase II Trial of MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) in Children and Young Adults with Newly Diagnosed Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma with Inadequate (Slow Early) Response to Frontline Chemotherapy (KEYNOTE 667). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03407144 Prof Geel is the national principal investigator (PI) for this trial.

2. A Study of Lenvatinib (MK-7902) in Pediatric Participants with Relapsed or Refractory Solid Malignancies (MK-7902-013/E7080) (E7080-G000-231) ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04447755

We work with Wits Clinical Research and their experienced staff on these clinical trials.

If you would like to chat to us about feasibility for a paediatric study at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, please use the contact form to get in touch.