A cancer patient whose illness robbed her of the chance to have her own children has become a mother after her best friend offered to be her surrogate.
Amy Cronjé, now 33, received a shocking diagnosis of breast cancer shortly after marrying her husband, Roché, 35 years old.
Although he was given the all-clear after radiation and chemotherapy, a routine checkup a year later found the disease had returned and spread to his bones.
As part of her treatment, the speech therapist was given hormonal medication, which drastically reduced her chances of conceiving.
But after discovering that Ms Cronjé, who had always wanted to be a mother, was exploring the possibility of using a surrogate mother, Karla Steenekamp immediately volunteered.
Amy Cronjé, now 33, received a shock diagnosis of breast cancer shortly after marrying her husband, Roché, 35. Pictured, Mrs Cronjé with her best friend Karla Steenekamp.
As part of Ms Cronjé’s treatment, the speech therapist was given hormonal medication, which drastically reduced her chances of conceiving. Pictured: Ms Cronjé, her husband Roché, with Karla Steenekamp and Tjaart after the birth of Jack
After a successful IVF, the 31-year-old, who already has two children, gave birth to a boy, Jack, in June.
After a successful IVF, the 31-year-old, who already has two children, gave birth to a boy, Jack, in June.
Recalling her shocking diagnosis, Ms Cronjé said: “I cried many nights.
‘The cancer had spread to my bones and doctors prescribed me hormonal medication.
“I felt like all our plans had gone up in smoke.”
One in seven women in the UK is diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime (around 56,000 a year), making it the most common cancer in the UK.
The figure is approximately 300,000 per year in the United States.
Between 85 and 90 percent of women diagnosed with primary breast cancer survive more than five years.
However, secondary (or stage four) breast cancer, which accounts for around 16 per cent of all breast cancers in the UK and US, is much more difficult.
It means that cancer that started in the breast has spread to other parts of the body, commonly the liver, lungs, brain, or bones.
After discovering that Ms Cronjé, who had always wanted to be a mother, was exploring the possibility of using a surrogate mother, Karla Steenekamp immediately volunteered.
Ms Cronjé froze her embryos before her first chemotherapy treatment in the hope of using a surrogate mother later.
According to Cancer Research UK, around a quarter of women with secondary breast cancer will survive their cancer for five years or more after diagnosis.
Both chemotherapy and hormone therapy can affect fertility, making pregnancy difficult.
But hormone therapies can block or suppress hormones, causing infertility by putting a woman into early menopause.
Ms Cronjé froze her embryos before her first chemotherapy treatment in the hope of using a surrogate mother later.
When Ms Steenekamp and her husband Tjaart, 34, discovered the couple were exploring the possibility of using a surrogate mother, they offered to help.
“I didn’t have to think twice. I felt like the Lord had put him in my path and being a mother is wonderful,” Steenekamp said.
Mrs Steenekamp then began receiving 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.’
The woman was assessed by a gynaecologist before both couples completed the necessary legal procedures, including parental orders.
Ms Steenekamp then began receiving daily hormone injections to prepare her body and the embryo was implanted in October 2023.
Fortunately, IVF was successful on the first attempt.
She said: ‘Tjaart fully supported me from the beginning.
She said she saw how much joy our children brought us. Why didn’t we give it to someone else?
‘My youngest son would kiss my belly every morning and every night and say hello to Aunt Amy’s baby.’
On June 9, she welcomed a baby boy whom she named Jack Bruce.
Symptoms of breast cancer to look out for include lumps and swelling, dimpling of the skin, color changes, discharge, and rash or crusting around the nipple.
Checking your breasts should be part of your monthly routine to detect any unusual changes. Simply rub and feel up and down, in semi-circles and circular motions around the breast tissue to identify any abnormalities.
Mrs Cronjé said she and Mrs Steenekamp were no longer friends, but sisters.
Although he is still undergoing cancer treatment, he remains optimistic.
She added: “It was a very special moment for both of us.”
“Seeing that little body and knowing that you have overcome great obstacles and can call yourself a mother thanks to your friend… it’s beautiful.
‘Karla and I have a very unique friendship.
You could almost say that we are no longer friends: we are now sisters.
She added: “My biggest wish was to be a mother. I didn’t think it would be possible, but Karla made it happen.”
‘It was wonderful to know that my friend was willing to sacrifice so much for me.
“We will always be present in each other’s lives. I am deeply grateful for what you have done.”
