A palliative care nursing sister and founder of a non-profit organisation considers writing exams “with a baby on the boob,” paddling on the ocean five times a week, and extraordinary women.   

1 Growing up, was there any sign that you’d become a palliative care nursing sister?

Caring for three younger siblings, and always having my Mom's back, could have been a sign of life to come! Empathy and always looking out for others happened at a young age.

2 How did the anti-stress clinic - Stresstique - you had in Durban come about, and how did it fare?

I trained in reflexology, aromatherapy, stress consultancy and beauty therapy when I relocated back to Durban with my two babies after my divorce, and I launched Stresstique in 1994. It was huge at the time as beauty spas hadn't been launched and Stresstique represented a "spa" back in the day, with an emphasis on treating stress in a holistic way. The clinic started taking on a life of its own after I studied at Hospice and more and more cancer patients started coming to see me. I eventually had to move locations to allow for more privacy for my clients and I then moved it to my home in Durban North.

3 You wrote your finals for your Palliative Care diploma at Hospice when your son was two days old. How did you manage that?

That was easy, third baby, on the boob whilst writing exams - easy as pie!

4 Tell us more about your three children, Tammy, Michael and Trent.

Tammy and Michael are both journalists who studied at Rhodes University; Michael has his Masters in Creative Writing and lives in Cape Town, and Tammy has her Masters in Public Health. She lives in Austin, Texas. Trent, my youngest, is a web developer in Cape Town and they all excel at what they do. Super proud of them all!

Image: Pexels

5 Your non-profit organisation, Celebrate Life SA, is close to your heart. Which projects have you completed?

We started at the inception of Celebrate Life by raising R1 million for Sherwood Hospice by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as an all-women team, then went on to raising funds for the rhino poaching crisis in our country, supporting Thula Thula Rhino Sanctuary, the East Coast Radio helicopter project and The Tusk Trust in the United Kingdom with many projects - including running the Lewa Marathon in Kenya and climbing Mount Meru, once again as an all-women team. I change ordinary women into extraordinary women!

One of the Celebrate Life SA endeavours - paddling around the island of Mauritius.

6 You like to be active – for instance, you’re often on the water. Which activities energise you?

I paddle on the ocean at least five times a week, my passion is the space, calmness and energy that the ocean offers. I also walk, run, hike and gym when the weather is not conducive to paddling.

Listen to Cherry discuss her book on navigating the emotional, medical and practical aspects of cancer.

7 Your book Cancer: navigating the journey (Quivertree Publications, 2023) is a warm, honest and informative guide for individuals with cancer, their loved ones and their caregivers. Do you have more books waiting to be born?

I haven't thought beyond this book, but you never know! I have thought of perhaps addressing the Covid era - "Loss of Touch", such an absolute tragedy in those times of aloneness and death, but I need to research what is out there on the subject first.

 8 “Just breathe” is one of your mantras – what does it mean to you?

All the fundraising initiatives we have done over the years for Celebrate Life involved a team of different women each time, who went way out of their comfort zones to climb mountains, paddle long distances, etc. and I am known for those two words when the going got tough - "Just Breathe." I use it when pacifying patients and loved ones, taking that deep breath is just healing and calming!

About Cherry

Cherry Armstrong, based in Durban, is a nursing sister who has engaged with various aspects of cancer for over 30 years, both in her cancer clinic and palliative care business. She has also worked as a clinical research nurse in oncology and other medical trials, and ran her own stress clinic in Durban for a number of years, recognising the importance of a holistic approach.
Cherry is also the founder of non-profit organisation Celebrate Life SA.

Facebook: Cherry Armstrong

Celebrate Life SA

LinkedIn: Cherry Armstrong

Website: https://celebratelifesa.org/

Email: cherry@celebratelifesa.org

Where to find Cherry’s book:

Cancer: navigating the journey by Cherry Armstrong, published by Quivertree Publications, is available at good bookshops as well as online (also as an eBook): 

https://www.loot.co.za/product/cancer/bltt-8063-g990 

https://www.takealot.com/cancer/PLID93514743 

https://www.wordsworth.co.za/products/cancer-navigating-the-journey?_pos=1&_sid=b47633575&_ss=r

Thumbnail image: Pexels

Photographs: supplied