When faced with a challenging medical diagnosis families often aren’t prepared for the financial burden placed on them at the most vulnerable time in their lives.
For this reason, many South Africans are turning to crowdfunding to raise the funds for a loved one in need of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and the purchase of medication and medical equipment.
Start a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy
If you or a loved one is in need of raising funds for medical costs, click here to register on BackaBuddy.
Have any questions?
BackaBuddy is here to help.
Email: [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp at +27 60 741 0255.
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is the practice of fundraising online by setting up a project to receive many small donations from a number of individuals through the use of social media and the press.
Through emotive storytelling, images and video content, campaign creators are able to present their cause to the public to help reach their specified fundraising target.
As long as you have an earnest medical need that can be validated by a doctor or health practitioner, you can raise funds on BackaBuddy.
What can you raise funds for?
Over 49800 individuals have successfully crowdfunded on BackaBuddy to cover the cost of their Cancer Treatment, Cystic Fibrosis treatment, Bone Marrow Transplants, Kidney Dialysis, Heart surgery, Liver transplant, Cochlear implants and Wheelchairs.
Friends seeking to support a family in distress often launch crowdfunding campaigns to assist with expenses such as living costs, transportation, and other necessities during a catastrophic medical diagnosis.
Getting started
Get started with your crowdfunding campaign by sending us your story, funding needs and references by completing this form.
If you aren’t sure how to go about your campaign, please contact [email protected] and our team will guide you and walk alongside you.
Once your campaign is set up, you will have a shareable link that you can share on your social media, the press and most importantly, with family and friends, who can help you spread the word and donate to your cause.
Medical campaigns that captured our hearts
Thus far BackaBuddy has raised over R385 Million to support worthy causes in South Africa.
Take a look at a few of the medical campaigns on BackaBuddy that touched the hearts of donors both locally and abroad.
A Bone Marrow Transplant for Aaron
Aaron Lipschitz (7) from Sea Point, Cape Town, is the first child in South Africa to be diagnosed with Interleukin-12 Receptor Defect, a rare genetic condition that affects the immune system.
The only way for Aaron to overcome his recurrent infections and survive this condition was to have a bone marrow transplant, which successfully took place in August 2018.
Campaign link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/save-aaron
Mandy’s Breast Cancer Treatment
When Salon owner Mandy Lottering from Pietermaritzburg was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in 2017, she set up a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy with the support of her friend, Angela.
Penning an emotional open letter to supporters, Mandy reminded herself that she is many things, a mother, a wife, a cheerleader, and a friend, but she is not her cancer.
Thankfully with the support of her community, Mandy is now in remission and still counts her blessings every day.
Campaign link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/mandys-tatas
The Lottering Family. From Left to Right: Savannah, Jarrod, Juan & Mandy
Heart surgery for Naledi
When Naledi Thahanyane (4) from Johannesburg was 6 months old she was put in the care of Juno Aurora Haven, a home for abused and neglected children in Sandton.
When Naledi was taken to a paediatrician for a regular checkup three years ago, it was discovered that she had a heart defect, a growth just below the left aorta.
Without funds to cover the cost of Naledi’s operation, medication, medical supplies, sterilisation equipment as well as a home nurse, a campaign was launched on BackaBuddy.
Thankfully, Naledi’s surgery was funded and she remains in stellar health.
Campaign link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/heart-surgery-for-naledi
A Cochlear implant for Neave
After failing her hearing test, doctors discovered that Neabe Barrett was born deaf. With the family’s medical aid covering a portion of the funds needed to fit Neave with a cochlear implant, a campaign was launched to cover the additional funds needed.
Thankfully, Neave raised the funds she needed and her cochlear implants were switched on in early 2017. It was such a special moment.
Campaign link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/neave-barretts-journey-to-sound
A liver transplant for Aiden
Aidan Maddocks from Pietermaritzburg was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia at birth, a childhood liver disease that only affects 1 in 10,000–15,000 live births.
After receiving a Kasai Operation at Albert Luthuli Hospital when he was only 3 years old, Doctors told Aiden that he would need a liver transplant in the next decade.
When the day arrived, Aiden’s family set up a BackaBuddy campaign to cover the costs of his treatment when his donor’s liver arrived.
Campaign link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/aidan-liver-transplant
Prosthetics for Ubuko
Ubuko Mpotulo, from East London, was diagnosed with Meningococcal Septicaemia, a condition where bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, damaging the walls of the blood vessels. He was only 10 years old.
At the age of 3 years old, Ubuko underwent a Bi-Lateral Amputation and finger amputation, when the lining of his blood vessels became damaged and obstructed his narrow arteries and eventually cutting off his blood supply. He was soon fitted with prosthetics and adjusted to his ‘new normal’ very quickly.
To support Ubuko with his ongoing medical costs, as his prosthetic sockets will need to be refitted and changed at least 14 to 16 times until he stops growing, 7 Round Tablers from East London dedicated the 70.3 Ironman challenge to raise funds for the young man on BackaBuddy.
Campaign link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/steps4ubuko
A Wheelchair for Ellané
Ellané Burger from Wellington, Western Cape was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition called Disabling Pansclorotic Morphea, when she was only 8 years old. The condition affects the skin, nerves and muscles making it difficult to jump, run, walk short distances or even stand still.
To give Ellané a new lease on life, her parents set up a campaign on BackaBuddy to raise funds for a specialized wheelchair that has broadened her horizons,
Campaign link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/ellane-burger
Read more
- Why is BackaBuddy South Africa’s trusted platform?
- Read our Impact Stories
- Read our Fundraising Tips
- What is crowdfunding?