We had an incredible year in 2022 in terms of raising funds for various worthy causes.
According to our annual statistics released by the organization, we raised a staggering R79 million (about $5.4 million) in 2022 alone, and have raised a total of R378 million (about $25.5 million) since our inception.
One of the standout campaigns on our platform in 2022 was the Hope for Kyleigh campaign, which aimed to raise funds for a young girl from Gauteng to receive life-saving heart surgery in the US.
Kyleigh Kista, from Benoni, was born with a complex congenital heart defect that required a specialized procedure at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, both locally and abroad, the campaign was able to raise an astounding R4 million, both online and offline.
In March, Kyleigh underwent a cardiac catheterization procedure in which her arteries were widened with a balloon, a stent was placed, and the dual supply was repaired. The procedure was a complete success and Kyleigh recovered quickly.
Another campaign that received an overwhelming amount of support on our platform was one to fund a diabetic alert dog for two-year-old, Jenna-Mae van der Vyver, from Krugersdorp.
Diabetic alert dogs are trained to recognize when their owner’s blood sugar levels are getting too high or too low, and can alert them or their caregivers in time for them to take appropriate action.
These dogs can be expensive, with costs ranging from R30,000 to R60,000. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of strangers, the campaign exceeded its target, ensuring that the young girl could bring her forever-companion home.
Internet celebrity Vernon Koekemoer, also known as “SA’s Chuck Norris,” was the beneficiary of another successful campaign on our platform. Koekemoer became an instant celebrity in 2008 after a photograph of him taken at an H20 party went viral, but he has since faced a number of health complications due to three failed hip operations.
South Africans were quick to respond to the campaign, donating more than R100,000 to cover the costs of Koekemoer’s medical treatment and comprehensive care.
In total, we raised over R13 million in 2022 compared to 2021, with over 13,500 campaigns being created on the platform. This represents a 17% increase in campaigns year-on-year. Most of these campaigns were related to funding medical procedures and sporting events.
Our CEO Patrick Schofield attributed the success of the platform to the fact that people became more compassionate and aware of the struggles of others due to the pandemic, and were more willing to give in various ways.
Surveys of our donors showed that many people were interested in donating not just their money, but also their time and skills to support causes that they were passionate about.
The stories of Kyleigh, Jenna-Mae, and Vernon Koekemoer are just a few examples of the many heartwarming campaigns that were made possible through the generosity and kindness of our donors.
It’s truly inspiring to see how people could come together to make a positive impact in the world and help those in need.
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South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R370 Million.
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