3-year-old, Kyleigh ‘Milana’ Kista, from Benoni South Africa was diagnosed with a Complex Congenital Heart Defect at birth, and needs urgent, life-saving treatment in the US within the next 3 months.
Kyleigh’s condition, known as Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia, VSD & Mapca was first described by Cardio-Thoracic surgeons as a ‘monster in her chest.’
“Kyleigh does not have the valve that connects the heart to the lungs, the arteries that are meant to be attached to this value is free-floating and underdeveloped and not connected to her heart. She has a large hole in heart and survives on 2 collateral arteries of which one has already started to narrow severely. This all puts a lot of strain on her little body.“ says Serina Kista, Kyleigh’s mom.
In her short life, Kyleigh has endured 3 open-heart surgeries and countless non-invasive procedures that have done little to remedy her warrior heart.
A second chance for Kyleigh
In November 2021, the Kista family’s ‘world came crashing down’ when they were faced with limited options to save their daughter’s life in South Africa.
As a last resort, doctors suggested that the family wait until Kyleigh’s organs begin failing, at which point a heart & lung transplant would be considered.
As there are a limited number of donors available, and the fact that this procedure has never been performed on a paediatric patient before, the family feared the substantial risk their daughter would be subjected to.
“Kyleigh would need to be condemned to significant suffering and damage to her heart and lungs before being admitted into ICU in a critical condition to be placed on a donor list and fight for her life with no guarantee of finding a donor in time “, says Kyleigh’s mother Serina.
In absolute desperation to save Kyleigh’s life, the family investigated alternative treatments, finally reaching out to the Boston Children’s Hospital in the USA for a second opinion.
Answering their prayers, doctors revised Kyleigh’s case and restored all hope that their beautiful little girl could be saved and have a better quality of life.
“They proposed an innovative technique to repair her heart, which they currently perform with great success at the hospital. They will use Kyleigh current anatomy and reconstructing her blood vessels in order to flow effectively through her lungs while also incorporating her collateral arteries as part of this procedure.” says Serina.
Time is of the essence to save Kyleigh
Understanding the urgency of the procedure, the hospital kindly offered a reduced rate for the operation, which is still an astronomical amount for the family without power or influence.
To fund the operation in the USA, estimated at R5 000 000 ($295,761), the family has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to appeal to the public to support their final and only hope to save their little one.
“Boston Children’s Hospital has given us new hope and we are holding on to this option with all that is in us. Without it, our little girl will never get the chance to grow up and have a normal, happy, healthy life.” – says Serina.
An outpouring of compassion
With overwhelming support from over donors both locally and internationally, over R4.7 million ($312 590) was raised on BackaBuddy, which has since been paid over to the medical facility in Boston!
The family’s visas have been approved and Kyleigh’s life-saving open heart surgery is set to take place on 24 March2022.
“We received overwhelming support from family, friends, colleagues and the community. Thank you for the heartfelt contributions, prayers and faith that Kyleigh will not only obtain the money for the procedure but will succeed through the procedure, bringing us to tears. We felt hopeless and alone but today we have so many people coming to Kyleigh’s rescue to help us give a future, an opportunity at life” says Kyleigh’s mother, Serina.
A mended heart
Kyleigh’s first operation, a cardiac cartherization, took place on 22 March 2022 at Boston Children’s Hospital.
During the 4 hour procedure, which ‘went even better than expected’ , Kyleigh’s arteries were ballooned and a stent was placed and dual supply was fixed.
With Kyleigh making a quick recovery, the final procedure to repair her heart and lung connection took place on 24 March 2022.
After 8 hours on the operating table, doctors declared the surgery a resounding success and Kyleigh was placed on a ventilator in ICU.
Fortunately, within less than 2 days of her surgery, Kyleigh was moved from the intensive care unit to the stepdown unit.
“Kyleigh’s recovery is astounding, it’s truly the grace of God!” – says Serina
‘We can breathe again’
Although Kyleigh’s surgery has been paid for, the fight is not yet over, Serina told IOL:
“Kyleigh will need medication after surgery. We are not sure what medication will be needed, they will advise us after the surgery is done. She will need annual check-ups and most likely a valve replacement when she is older.”
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 raised over R290 Million.
Nikhil Rathilall (13), a sharp and assured student from Muizenberg, Cape Town, has been selected by Crew For a Cause, a registered NPO and PBO focused on empowering disadvantaged students through education, for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend Bergvliet High.
Crew for a Cause is a growing community of like-minded South Africans, from all walks of life, who believe that small contributions from many can make a big difference in the lives of gifted scholars and help change their futures for the better.
Paying it forward, the members have made it their mission to fund the fees of several hard-working students, to lift families out of poverty, and provide a way out of desperate situations.
“Crew for a Cause was started with the idea that, through education, we can provide a child with the platform to better themselves and their communities and to do our part to change South Africa’s future for the better. Ultimately, we’d like to see them develop into role models and community leaders and go on to support their own families and friends.” – says Matthew Sterne, Director of Crew for a Cause
Nikhil, who is a top-achieving student with an aggregate of 80% for all his subjects, has a natural ability in mathematics and dreams of studying IT once he matriculates.
Support for a star student
As Nikhil’s mother works for an aircon company, and his father, who he admires greatly, runs a small operation making curries in their community, his parents don’t have the means to cover their son’s schooling fees at a private school, which would widen his opportunities.
Pictured above: Nikhil with his family.
“Nikhil’s resilience and his ability to always try his best, that’s what makes him stand out. His dreams and visions for the future are to make a difference in the lives of others. He hopes to see a country with equal access to opportunities and education one day.”- says Matthew
Stepping in to help change the life of this star student, Crew for a Cause has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to cover Nikhil’s first year of high school at Bergvliet High, a school he has always dreamed of.
“We know that he will always try his best and make a success of every opportunity he receives. He’s looking forward to taking part in new experiences and opportunities at his high school in 2022. If Nikhil were to receive a scholarship, we envision him sharing his cheerfulness, laughter, and optimism with all he encounters in high school.” – says Matthew
Since the launch of the campaign, over R9000 has been raised towards Nikhil’s fundraising target of R45 000, which will cover his well-deserved scholarship.
“This scholarship will enable me to have many advantages that I may otherwise not have. I commit to working hard and giving my best at all times. Once again I would like to thank you for your generosity” – says Nikhil
Crew for a Cause began in January 2018 with the idea that small contributions from many can make a big difference.
“We pool the money of our monthly members to create bursaries for promising high school students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. To identify the students, we partner with education professionals who travel to a range of schools in underprivileged areas and test 12-year-olds in English, Maths, Natural Sciences, and grit. Grit is essential to ensure the students persist through the challenging times they may encounter during high school. We see this as a vital process in building a stronger society. In South Africa, education is a means of lifting people out of poverty and providing a way out of desperate situations.” – Says Matthew
Create a crowdfunding campaign
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 R300 Million.
In 2018, 45-year-old, Sheehama Onesmus fell victim to a crime when his vehicle was stolen outside his house in Imizamo Yethu (Mandela Park) in Hout Bay.
Sheehama started Sky Transport just over four years ago, a small transport business that supports his partner, Sue Anne (31), his 2 daughters, Saskia (16), Ningeni (9) and his son, Tulonga (4).
After receiving a tip-off, his vehicle, which he uses for work, was eventually found in Gugulethu, but to his dismay, his vehicle was stripped, burnt to a crisp and then abandoned.
After receiving a tip-off, his vehicle, which Sheehama uses for work, was eventually found in Gugulethu stripped and burnt to a crisp.
Hoping to restore Sheehama’s livelihood and get him back on his feet, fellow Capetonian, Pierre De Wet (43), who ownsAnything Goes Furniture decided to do something special for his friend and transport provider.
“Sheehama is more than just the guy with a truck who moves furniture, he has become my friend and has really helped me grow my business. This week his livelihood was stripped from him when his truck was stolen, and with it went his business and means of looking after his family. ” – says De Wet
Sheehama Onesmus and Pierre De Wet outside Anything Goes Furniture in Cape Town.
Pierre launched a campaign on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy which raised over R56 000, thanks to the contributions from 54 generous donors.
This helped Sheehama purchase a new truck and he got to keep his business.
We caught up with Pierre De Wet who’d love to share his gratitude to the generous donors.
Not only is Sheehama’s business back, but it is rocking. I speak to him almost every single day to arrange collections or deliveries for my shop. I honestly don’t know what I would do without him!
“Thank you again to each and every one of you for what you did for Sheehama, and I’m so happy to report that thanks to you, he can continue to provide for his family and run a business that he is not only good at, but that he does with pride.” says Pierre
To further support, if anyone needs anything transported or collected in the Cape Town area please contact Sheehama – 0743808113.
Thank you to the 54 incredible donors who supported Sheehama in purchasing a new truck and helped him keep his business.
Joanie & Clyde Smith | WilliamReith | Chatz Charity | DanielleGair | O Donovan | Bobby Perel | Ruby’s Cottage | Schopman Marijke | Connock Mary | Damien de Gouveia| Chris Cheetham | Gillespie Shirley | The Warners | KellyPhelps | Bartlett Anon | Scheepers Anon | de Klerk Disco + fam | Mary Jakins | Holmes Ryan and Paula | De Ferry Luisa | Cheetham | Neumann Debbie | KarinNeill | Finnemore Lindsay | Raubenheimer Nate | Rainbow Dreams Trust | Fedder Linda | Teague Nicola | Alexander Desmond | Campbell John | Hall Trevor | Piet Du Preez | Lindley Stuart | Maierhofer Petra | Carmen Potgieter | Adler Warren | Tee Louise | Joshua Brown | Marais Chane | Belinda Louw | McCleland Jess | Schneider Katherine & Frank | Lizet Meyer | LisaGoosen | Deary L | Stumpf Rudi&Marise | William & Walter De Wet | Vicci Butler | Du Plessis Keith | Monja Conradie | Margit Roberts | Joan De Wet | Catherine Du Plooy
After discovering hungry children in his community three years ago, Joshua Roos (12) who lives with his grandmother, Manda, in Gordon’s Bay, Western Cape, was inspired to start his own soup kitchen to feed the vulnerable and support various charitable institutions.
As Joshua and his grandmother get by on her disability pension, together they launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to better serve their community by providing food parcels to young children and the elderly during lockdown.
Since the project’s launch in June 2020, donors both locally and abroad have contributed over R24 000 towards his fundraising target of R50 000 to expand the soup kitchen and feed hungry tummies. Donate here.
Like most businesses, Joshua’s soup kitchen was tremendously impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic with it being difficult to gather donations to continue helping the less fortunate.
To keep his dreaming alive, Joshua has had to think of other alternatives by starting his own Jalapeno Product Range by smoking various types of meats, and with the profits gained from this venture, he donates it to various causes that’s close to his heart.
Since Covid19 started it has been a real struggle to gather donations to continue to help the less fortunate which has been his dream (A dream which has no end) as everyone has gone through their own difficulties, that’s when Joshua started his own Jalapeno Product Range together with Smoking various meats and with the profits gained from this venture he donates it to various causes that’s close to his heart he wishes he is able to have at least once a month a day where he is able to give a hot meal to the less fortunate people around the community. Whilst all this has been going on granny’s health has also been deteriorating but still try to help where she can to enable his dreams but sometimes she is not able to. He has a project up his sleeve for the 16th of December for about 60 kids and everything is coming out of pocket as funds are very low at this point.
As funds have been slowly coming in, donations towards his cause and dream are still welcomed on his BackaBuddy page here.
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 R290 Million.
In 2018, Andrew Patterson (39) from Sea Point, Cape Town, successfully climbed Table Mountain every day for a year to raise funds for 3 non-profit organisations, Habitat for Humanity, One Heart and Sunflower Fund on BackaBuddy.
Through the summer sun and winter rain, Andrew pushed his body to the limits and committed to his cause in hopes to inspire South Africans to look out for their fellow man and make the world a better place.
Taking the last step of his 964 hour, 2429km journey (including 262km of vertical climbing – which is equivalent to climbing Mount Everest 71 times) on New Year’s Eve, Andrew was thankful to the 738 climbers who joined him along the way, as well as the 485 donors who pledged their support.
“The people I got to meet, the conversations that we have had on the mountain, the enthusiasm for people to get behind this to make a real difference in this country was mind blowing. It goes to show that you can never fully grasp the full power of an idea until you act on it and start to see it blooming. It was hard to put into a few words what that year meant to me, the entire experience was even greater than I ever imagined. I developed a greater understanding of listening to my own inner voice, intuition and gut.” – says Andrew
Deliver books to 3 of the Western Cape’s poorest schools in Stellenbosch, Klapmuts and Kayamandi in connection with One Heart for Kids.
Upgrade the homes of 10 struggling families living in shacks in Baphumelele, Khayelitsha with Habitat for Humanity.
Add 60 donors to the Sunflower Fund by running 2 donor drives to help those living with leukaemia.
Taking on the challenge, Andrew learned a powerful lesson about what we can accomplish together when we push through our own fears and insecurities.
“I learned when I choose to focus on solutions to challenges rather than become weighed down by the challenge itself – whether climbing or the societal challenges at large – I feel far more empowered. There is always a solution. I just have to decide I have the dedication, perseverance, and depth of faith to go as far as is needed.” – says Andrew
Andrew hopes South Africans will be inspired to conquer their own mountain.
“Whatever your challenge – just get started. Table mountain from afar seemed insurmountable, but seeing the next few stairs ahead of you makes you think ‘why didn’t I start sooner’. Focus on today and what you can do right now to make South Africa better” – says Andrew
On crowdfunding for his cause, Andrew had this to say:
“Partnering with BackaBuddy gave me the freedom to focus 100% on my challenge and know that the finances were taken care of. The transparency with which donations are shown and the ease with which people could donate from around the world made them a joy to work with.”
Rudy’s Challenge
Inspired by Andrew, Rudy van Dieman (26), a tour guide for Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, hopes to achieve 365 summits up Table Mountain in 2022 to help buy a safe house for children in Mitchells Plain. Read More.
“Rudy first contacted me in 2020 to tell me he wanted to tackle this challenge. Climbing Table Mountain every day for a year is a mammoth undertaking — but once I heard why he wanted to do this, I had absolute faith in him. Rudy is an incredible man with big dreams and an even bigger heart. I’m incredibly proud of him and supporting him with every step he climbs.” – says Andrew
Andrew with Rudy in 2018
Thank you to the 486 incredible donors who supported Andrew on his life-changing journey to make a difference.
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