At just two years old, Tristan Smit was facing a reality no family should ever have to confront. Diagnosed with a terminal cancer tumour in his brain stem — his second cancer diagnosis at the time — Tristan’s parents, Helen and Pierre, were told their son had only six weeks to live. Doctors advised them to keep him comfortable, manage his pain, and prepare to say goodbye.
Yet, amid the overwhelming despair, a beacon of hope emerged: a specialised proton therapy treatment available in Texas, USA. The treatment offered a fighting chance, but it came with an impossible cost — far beyond what the Smit family could afford.
When Hope Took to the Airwaves
In March 2010, Tristan’s teachers at his crèche refused to accept that nothing more could be done. They reached out to Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels, asking for help.
What followed was a moment that would forever change Tristan’s life.
Helen was surprised live on air with a significant portion of the funds needed for the family to travel to Texas. The generosity of listeners and donors gave Tristan access to the life-saving treatment he so desperately needed.
Against all odds, Tristan not only survived — he flourished.
Fifteen Years Later
Now, 15 years on, Tristan’s story continues to inspire. He celebrated his 17th birthday in April last year — a milestone that once seemed unimaginable and a powerful reminder of what is possible when compassion meets action.
As Jacaranda FM celebrates the 20th anniversary of Good Morning Angels, Helen and Pierre reflect on how their lives were forever changed.
“We had a lot of angels in our path that made this whole journey possible,” Helen says.
“I really want to say thank you to Jacaranda FM and Good Morning Angels for the awareness they created around my son’s condition and for giving him the treatment he needed.”
Martin Bester, host of Breakfast With Martin Bester, adds:
“Tristan’s story is one that stays with you. It reminds us that behind every Good Morning Angels moment is a real family, a real child, and a real future at stake. Twenty years later, the heart of Good Morning Angels remains the same — ordinary people coming together to give others hope when they need it most.”
20 Years of Changing Lives
Over the past two decades, Good Morning Angels has become one of South Africa’s most trusted upliftment initiatives, offering support during some of life’s most overwhelming moments. From medical assistance to life-altering interventions, the initiative continues to prove that kindness — when amplified — can change the course of a life.
For Helen, Pierre, and Tristan Smit, that kindness became a lifeline.
As Good Morning Angels celebrates 20 years of impact, Tristan’s journey stands as a living testament to the power of community, the resilience of the human spirit, and the extraordinary outcomes that can emerge when people choose to care.
