NATIONAL NEWS - The stunning wife of musician, Danny K (Daniel Koppel) Lisa, nee Gundelfinger, died this weekend after battling colorectal cancer for three years.
Today Lisa's family went public with what she's been through.
Here follows their full media statement:
For the first time, the family of Lisa Koppel (41) is sharing the deeply private and courageous battle she fought with colorectal cancer for nearly three years.
Lisa was diagnosed in November 2023. From that moment, she fought with extraordinary strength and determination.
Together with her family, she searched for hope in South Africa and around the world, pursuing every treatment and every opportunity available to her.
Tragically, despite everything, she could not be saved.
The family is deeply grateful to every doctor, nurse and healthcare professional who cared for Lisa throughout her journey, both in South Africa and abroad.
Lisa chose to keep her illness private. She never wanted pity, attention or sympathy.
Above all, she wanted to protect her children and preserve their happiness and innocence for as long as possible.
Even through the hardest moments, she remained gentle, humble and remarkably brave, inspiring everyone who walked this journey beside her.
The family is sharing Lisa's diagnosis now for one important reason: awareness.
Colorectal cancer screening was traditionally recommended from age 50, but the disease is increasingly affecting younger people.
Today, international guidelines recommend routine screening from age 45 for people at average risk.
Persistent symptoms should always be discussed with a doctor and properly investigated.
Lisa hoped that one day she would use her experience to raise awareness of this disease and help others through early detection.
She never got that opportunity. Her family will now carry that purpose forward in her name.
The Koppel and Gundelfinger families have been left shattered.
Lisa leaves behind her husband, Danny, their three children, and a family and community who loved her deeply.
The families ask for prayers, compassion and privacy as they grieve this devastating loss.
Lisa's illness will never define her.
She will be remembered for the way she lived and loved: with kindness, humility, courage and an unwavering devotion to the people who meant everything to her.
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