by Tessa Van Rensberg | Nov 14, 2025 | Impact Updates, Medical Fundraising
Tiny Miracles: Jenna-Lee’s Journey of Love, Loss, and Hope This World Prematurity Day
Jenna-Lee La Cock (36) from Randpark Ridge, Gauteng, has lived through a journey that reveals the fragility of life – but also the extraordinary strength of a mother’s love. Her path to motherhood began with fertility struggles, continued through a life-threatening pregnancy complication, and today, she stands as the proud mom of two tiny fighters – Selena and Leona NICU Warriors, whose story brings powerful meaning to World Prematurity Day.
A Long and Hopeful Road to Motherhood
For Jenna-Lee and her husband, Uli, the dream of becoming parents began almost as soon as they married.
“Uli and I met a bit later in life, but from the moment I met him, I knew I wanted to have children with him,” she smiles. “We decided to start trying almost straight away.”
But months passed with no positive test. When Jenna-Lee stopped birth control after years of use, her cycle became irregular. A visit to a fertility clinic uncovered the reasons she feared: adenomyosis and anovulation, meaning her ovaries weren’t releasing eggs.
“It was tough hearing that, but we were determined,” she says.
After five rounds of ovulation stimulation, Jenna-Lee finally received the news they had prayed for – a positive pregnancy test.
“As the doctor moved the probe, we saw what looked like two gestational sacs,” she laughs. “The doctor started laughing, and when we realized – we laughed all the way home. Twins! We felt blessed beyond measure.”
The Day Everything Changed
On 18 August 2025, at 28 weeks and 3 days, Jenna-Lee woke up at 3am in excruciating pain – pain that no medication, no heat, and no shower could ease.
“I got dressed for work but couldn’t get past the agony. I woke Uli in tears, and we rushed to the gynecologist as soon as they opened.”
Blood tests revealed dangerously low platelet levels. Hours later, the diagnosis confirmed their worst fears: HELLP syndrome, a life-threatening pregnancy condition affecting the liver and blood. The only way to save Jenna-Lee and the twins was to deliver immediately.
“I went cold,” she remembers. “I kept thinking, ‘It’s too early – they’re too little.’ I was terrified and heartbroken, but I knew we had no choice.”
Because of the bleeding risk, she couldn’t receive an epidural or spinal block and had to undergo a C-section under general anesthesia.
“I drifted off praying for their safety,” she says softly.
When she woke up in recovery – weak and needing a blood transfusion – she learned that both babies had survived. They were tiny, fragile, and fighting for their lives.
Our Little NICU Warriors
Tiny but fierce, Selena (1.11kg) and Leona (1.1kg) began their journey as NICU warriors.
“Selena needed resuscitation and a ventilator. Leona needed CPAP,” says Jenna-Lee. “Selena later needed PDA surgery and battled pneumonia. Leona survived a life-threatening gut infection. They’re the strongest little humans I know.”
For the first weeks, the beeping of monitors and the hum of ventilators became the soundtrack of their days. Their parents visited daily – sometimes multiple times a day – despite exhaustion, pain, and emotional overload.
Now more than two months later, their journey has taken a new, bittersweet turn.
A Heart in Two Places: The Updated Journey
After more than two months of fighting, the twins’ story reached a painful and beautiful turning point.
On Day 76, baby Selena was discharged, finally strong enough to go home.
“She’s thriving at home,” Jenna-Lee says with a full heart. “Having her home is the biggest blessing.”
Selena at home with mum
But her younger sister is still in the NICU.
On Day 82, Leona continues to struggle with bottle feeding – something she must master before she can be safely discharged.
“We have tried everything – speech therapy, occupational therapy, paediatric advice, NICU nurses’ tricks, and every bottle on the market,” says Jenna-Lee. “We haven’t found the solution yet.”
This emotional split has been devastating.
“It feels like your heart is broken into two pieces, and you cannot have both pieces together yet,” she admits. “Visiting your child, loving her, holding her – and then leaving her behind every evening – it’s a pain I can’t fully describe.”
Keeping their hearts together: a video call from the NICU to home brings comfort and closeness
Meanwhile, the next chapter has begun:
out-patient appointments and therapies, which their medical aid no longer covers because their savings are depleted.
“We want the best care for our girls, but we simply don’t know how we’ll afford what’s still ahead,” she says.
The Weight of Financial Strain
The financial pressure on the family has been immense.
- Their medical aid has disputed parts of Jenna-Lee’s hospital stay.
- Some claims for the twins’ care have been rejected.
- Uli lost his income for August while supporting his family at the hospital daily.
- Jenna-Lee is on maternity leave earning half her salary.
- UIF benefits are uncertain and limited.
- Additional unpaid leave will likely be necessary when both girls are home.
“This experience has brought so much fear and uncertainty, but every moment is worth it for my girls,” she says.
Community Compassion Through Crowdfunding
To help ease the growing financial burden, Jenna-Lee created a BackaBuddy campaign titled “Selena and Leona, Our Little NICU Warriors.”
So far, 15 donors have contributed R27,198 toward their R75,000 goal.
“The kindness we’ve received has lifted us up,” she says. “Prayers, food, messages, donations – every act of love has given us strength to keep going.”
A Message for World Prematurity Day – 17th November
This story unfolds as families around the world honour World Prematurity Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness for babies born too soon and the families who walk the NICU journey.
“Premature birth isn’t something you plan for – it’s something you survive,” says Jenna-Lee. “These babies are miracles. Their strength is unmatched. And parents in the NICU hold their fear, love, and hope all at once.”
Her message to other NICU parents is gentle and full of encouragement:
“It’s okay to have bad days. Don’t hide your struggles. But when you walk into that NICU, try to leave the fear at the door. Focus on love- that’s what your babies need most.”
Motherhood, she says, has changed her life forever.
“Being a mom to my beautiful girls makes me want to hand them the world. My purpose now is to guide them, protect them, and cheer them on as they grow into the strong women I already see in them.”
From a long fertility struggle to the emergency delivery of her twins at 28 weeks, from NICU alarms to first cuddles, from fear to fierce love – Jenna-Lee’s journey is a story of hope and unshakeable strength.
As one daughter settles at home and the other fights to join her, the family continues to rely on the kindness of those who believe in their story.
This World Prematurity Day, their journey reminds us that even the smallest babies can inspire the biggest courage.
To support Jenna-Lee, Uli, and their two little NICU warriors, visit their BackaBuddy campaign link here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/selena-and-leona-nicu-warriors
Please share their story – because sometimes, a single share can bring a tiny miracle closer to home.
by Tessa Van Rensberg | Nov 12, 2025 | BackaBuddy News, Organisations
Photo credits: Gift of the Givers
Building Sustainable Support for Those Who Need It Most
[Cape Town, 11 November 2025] — Gift of the Givers has announced the launch of Team Gift, a new monthly giving programme powered by BackaBuddy, designed to generate steady and sustainable support for their life-saving humanitarian work both locally and across the globe.
In a world where crises strike more often and with growing intensity, from conflict and hunger to drought and disaster, Team Gift gives ordinary South Africans a way to stand together consistently, ensuring no one is left behind when hardship hits.
Hope That Never Fades
Disasters, poverty, and limited access to healthcare continue to affect millions each year. Team Gift was created to provide consistent, reliable support, ensuring that when emergencies arise, help can arrive without delay.
The programme’s sustainable funding model allows Gift of the Givers to respond faster, plan further ahead, and maintain essential care long after initial relief efforts have ended.
From a Riverbed in Mozambique to a Movement of Hope
The inspiration behind Team Gift reaches back to 1990, when a young Dr Imtiaz Sooliman travelled with the Islamic Medical Association to Mozambique during a time of war and drought.
While visiting Nacala Hospital, he noticed two frail children digging into a dry riverbed and drinking the muddy water that seeped through the soil. The image stayed with him, a painful reminder of how easily we take clean water and safety for granted, and how deeply ordinary people can suffer in times of crisis.
Determined to act, Dr Sooliman wrote about what he had witnessed and shared it through phone calls and fax machines, his version of crowdfunding at the time. Within just five days, friends and colleagues helped him raise $100 000 (USD), enough to provide 30 boreholes and vital malaria medication.
That first humanitarian mission became the foundation for Gift of the Givers, proving that when people unite around compassion, extraordinary things happen.
Today, more than three decades later, that same spirit of unity and collective giving lives on through Team Gift, a call for South Africans to join a community of monthly donors ensuring the organisation remains ready to respond whenever and wherever help is needed.
How Team Gift Works
From as little as R50 per month, donors can pledge recurring contributions via BackaBuddy, joining a growing global movement of consistent givers. All donations are pooled and distributed across Gift of the Givers’ key humanitarian projects, supporting food security, sanitation, healthcare, education, disaster response, and more.
Because the funding is stable and recurring, Gift of the Givers can plan ahead, reach further into crisis zones, and sustain life-saving support long after the headlines fade.
To celebrate the spirit of collective compassion, the organisation is calling on supporters around the world to be among the first 1 000 members of Team Gift — a founding community of monthly donors recognised for their commitment to ongoing, measurable impact.
Founding Member Benefits
When individuals join Team Gift as Founding Members, they will gain access to a range of exclusive benefits designed to bring them closer to the organisation’s life-saving work.
Founding Members will receive live, real-time updates through the Team Gift WhatsApp Community, including direct messages, photos, and videos from Gift of the Givers’ relief teams on the ground, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes view of humanitarian action in progress.
Photo credits: Gift of the Givers
Why Now
Unpredictable crises demand reliable compassion. Too often, projects fade once immediate relief ends, leaving communities vulnerable. Team Gift closes that gap, turning one-time generosity into continuous care.
Ronelle Mungaroo, Communications Manager at Gift of the Givers, explains:
“Team Gift represents the heart of our mission — a community of consistent givers who ensure that when the next crisis arrives, we are already prepared. Every monthly donation, no matter the size, helps sustain the lifeline that keeps hope alive.”
Catherine Swanepoel, Chief Growth Officer at BackaBuddy, adds:
“Recurring giving is one of the most powerful ways South Africans can make an impact. Through Team Gift, BackaBuddy is proud to support Gift of the Givers in building a community of everyday heroes who make long-term humanitarian work possible.”
Join Team Gift, Become a Founding Member
Gift of the Givers and BackaBuddy invite South Africans to transform compassion into action by joining Team Gift today.
About Gift of the Givers
Founded in 1992, Gift of the Givers is Africa’s largest disaster response NGO. The organisation has delivered more than R6 billion in humanitarian aid across 47 countries. Its wide-ranging projects include food security, water provision, healthcare, education, and disaster relief, as well as infrastructure improvements in disadvantaged South African schools and rapid local disaster response efforts that strengthen resilience at home and abroad.
The Gift of the Givers Foundation is the largest disaster-response non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent. The essence of its presence is to bring hope and restore dignity to the most vulnerable.
About BackaBuddy
BackaBuddy is South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, enabling individuals and organisations to raise funds securely for causes they care about.
Since its inception, BackaBuddy has helped raise over R610 million for thousands of campaigns across South Africa — supporting individuals, families, and charities in times of need.
Photo credits: Gift of the Givers
By powering recurring donations, BackaBuddy helps South Africans sustain meaningful change and provide steady support for critical initiatives like Team Gift.
by Tessa Van Rensberg | Nov 12, 2025 | Organisations
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG),
A beacon of hope for countless individuals, is based in South Africa – its impact reaches across every province, home, and heart that has ever faced the darkness of mental illness. For over 31 years, SADAG has been the country’s leading mental health NGO, answering calls for help every day and night of the year. Through donations, and crowdfunding, BackaBuddy has partnered with SADAG , in an effort to help raise awareness around mental health and the amazing work the organisation does.
Answering the Call for Help
For SADAG, every ring of the phone represents a life – someone in crisis, reaching out as a attempt to be seen, to be heard, to be saved. Their
24-hour Suicide Crisis Helplines are often the only lifeline for thousands of South Africans who find themselves in moments of despair
As SADAG’s Development Manager, Fatima Seedat, explains, “‘Answer The Call for Help’ means more than picking up a phone – it’s about showing up for someone at the exact moment they feel invisible, hopeless, or alone.”
Every month, SADAG faces the monumental task of keeping their helplines open. Their operating costs reach R180,000, ensuring that trained counsellors can continue to provide free, compassionate support to every caller. To sustain this service, they’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, aptly titled “Answer The Call for Help”, which has already raised over R12,610 from 24 generous donors.
Each contribution, no matter how small, keeps hope alive.
As Fatima shared, “When a caller is ready to end their life, that one answered call can change everything.”
She recounts the story of a young man who phoned them one night, moments away from taking his own life. The counsellor’s gentle patience and empathy turned that moment of despair into survival – saving his life through connection, compassion, and care.
A Partnership for Hope
For BackaBuddy, partnering with SADAG is not just a collaboration – it’s a commitment to compassion. The platform, known for connecting everyday heroes with causes that matter, has joined forces with SADAG to help raise both funds and awareness for mental health.
This partnership underscores a shared mission: ensuring that no person’s cry for help goes unanswered. Together, they aim to break the silence surrounding mental health and inspire South Africans to take part in the movement – by donating, crowdfunding, or simply showing kindness.
As SADAG puts it, “Through this collaboration, every donation becomes part of something bigger: a shared effort to ensure that no cry for help goes unanswered. But it’s not only the callers who benefit — giving and extending kindness also nurtures the giver’s own mental wellbeing.”
The Healing Power of Giving
Science agrees: giving is good for your mental health. Acts of generosity – from volunteering to donating – trigger the release of endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin, often called the “happiness hormones.” These natural chemicals help reduce stress, combat anxiety, and foster a deeper sense of connection.
It’s what BackaBuddy calls “Growing Givers” – the idea that when you give, you grow. Giving to SADAG isn’t just about keeping the phone lines open; it’s also about creating ripples of kindness that heal both the receiver and the giver. As SADAG notes,
“When you help someone, you also help yourself.”
Becoming a Champion for Mental Health
Anyone, anywhere in South Africa, can become a champion for SADAG on BackaBuddy. You don’t have to be a counsellor to save lives – you can host a charity run, arrange an awareness day, and then back your efforts with a BackBuddy campaign. Every initiative contributes to a collective promise: that every call for help will be answered.
And for those who are struggling themselves, SADAG offers this reminder:
“Reach out for help if you need it, even if it’s just to say, ‘I’m not okay.’ Answering the call doesn’t always mean being on the helpline – sometimes it’s simply choosing kindness, choosing connection, choosing to care.”
A Shared Mission of Hope
In a world where so many feel unseen, this partnership between SADAG and BackaBuddy represents unity, hope, and humanity at its best, reminding South Africans that compassion is a strength – and that through giving, we not only lift others, but we lift ourselves.
To support SADAG, visit their BackaBuddy campaign link here:
👉 https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/answer-the-call-for-hope
Share the story, donate if you can – even as little as R50 can save a life – and help ensure that no call for help ever goes unanswered.
by Tessa Van Rensberg | Nov 7, 2025 | Impact Updates, Medical Fundraising
Rian Steyn (58) from Mossel Bay, Western Cape, has always been known for his golden touch — a hairstylist whose artistry could make anyone feel beautiful inside and out. But in 2021, Rian’s life took a devastating turn when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer — a journey that would not only test his health and spirit but also ignite a powerful message of love, resilience, and Prostate Cancer Awareness this Movember.
What started as minor discomforts – hip pain and frequent trips to the bathroom – turned out to be symptoms of something far more serious. After receiving initial reassurance from a urologist that the cancer was “under control,” the couple was blindsided just two months later when tests revealed that Rian’s cancer had advanced to stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer, an incurable form of the disease.
“You hear about the five stages of grief,” says Dewald. “But until you live through it, you don’t realize how hard it hits. You grieve the life you had – but then you keep going.”
“It Is What It Is” – A Battle of Body and Spirit
The road since that day has been paved with painful procedures, conflicting medical advice, and endless emotional tolls. A ureteral stent, which doctors later determined was unnecessary, caused Rian unbearable pain for nearly two years. In 2024, he underwent an orchidectomy to help manage his symptoms – a surgery that saved his life but deeply impacted his confidence and sense of self.
“It broke him,” Dewald admits. “Just like a woman feels after a mastectomy, Rian felt less of himself. People even addressed him as ‘Mrs.’ – not realizing the pain behind it.”
Despite these challenges, Rian continues to fight – not just against cancer, but against the stigma that keeps so many men from seeking help. With courage and honesty, he and Dewald have decided to share their journey publicly, to encourage other men to speak up, get checked, and value their health before it’s too late.
Breaking the Silence Around Men’s Health
Prostate cancer affects 1 in 9 men, yet many avoid getting tested out of fear, pride, or stigma. For Dewald, this silence is deadly.
“Being male comes with pressure – to be strong, to never show weakness,” he explains. “Men need to let go of that ego. The few seconds it takes for a prostate exam can save your life.”
Their story is more than one of illness; it’s one of awareness and advocacy. Through their campaign and courage, Rian and Dewald are helping rewrite the narrative around men’s mental and physical health, one conversation at a time.
This Movember, as moustaches sprout in solidarity around the world, Dewald hopes their message reaches other families: “The struggle of living with prostate cancer is far worse than the short discomfort of getting checked.”
Fighting for Dignity – and Hope
Today, Rian has completed six rounds of chemotherapy, and though the treatment has taken a toll, he continues to wake up each day with quiet courage. His greatest wish? To feel “whole” again. Dewald has launched a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign, aptly named “Rian’s Fight Against Prostate Cancer”, to raise R55,000 for reconstructive surgery that would help restore Rian’s confidence and dignity.
So far, the campaign has raised R16,020 from 17 donors, but there’s still a way to go. For Dewald, this isn’t about vanity – it’s about giving his husband the will to live again.
“People tell us to just be grateful he’s alive,” Dewald says. “But quality of life matters too. This surgery would help Rian face the world again – and himself – with pride.”
Despite his own recent health scare – a stroke in September 2025 – Dewald remains Rian’s rock. Together, they choose love, laughter, and acceptance over despair. “It is what it is,” their doctor once told them. But through their resilience, Rian and Dewald are showing the world that “what it is” can still be beautiful, hopeful, and full of purpose.
A Message for Movember, #ProstateCancerAwarenessMovember
As Movember encourages men to grow moustaches in solidarity, Rian’s story reminds us that awareness is more than a symbol – it’s a call to action. It’s about the courage to speak, to get tested, to support one another, and to live with gratitude and grace.
“Life is precious,” says Dewald. “Don’t take a single moment for granted. You only have one life – take care of it.”
To support Rian, visit his BackaBuddy campaign link here:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/rians-fight-against-prostate-cancer
Your contribution – or even just sharing their story – can help restore dignity, raise awareness, and save lives.
Launch your own crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy
Inspired by Rian’s story this Prostate Cancer Awareness Movember? You too can create a life-changing impact for yourself or someone you love. Whether it’s for medical care, education, community upliftment, or a dream worth fighting for, BackaBuddy helps South Africans unite for good causes.
Join thousands who’ve raised over R630 million for needs that matter most.
👉 Launch your campaign today
by Tessa Van Rensberg | Oct 30, 2025 | Impact Updates, The Arts
Healing Through Art and Community
Carlee Smith (34) from Randburg, Gauteng, has always believed in the power of healing through art and community. Through her beloved art studio, Studio by Red’s Imagery, Carlee’s mission is to help others rediscover joy, self-expression, and hope – one brushstroke at a time. But when a criminal drained her savings after stealing her phone, the very space she built to heal others suddenly faced closure.
Now, thanks to her cousin Kayla Smith and the incredible outpouring of community support through a crowdfunding campaign, Carlee is seeing her own lesson come full circle: that healing and hope are often born from connection.
Carlee and Kayla
A Dream Painted in Colour and Courage
For Carlee, The Studio by Red’s Imagery wasn’t just a business idea – it was a promise kept.
“The studio was born from a dream my grandmother and I once shared,” Carlee explains. “We wanted to create a space where creativity wasn’t reserved for artists, but open to everyone – a place where art could heal.”
That dream became a reality in Randburg, where Carlee transformed an empty space into a vibrant, inclusive haven for creatives of all ages. Her vision was to make art less about skill and more about freedom – from messy Splatter Room sessions to tranquil drawing classes and expressive workshops for moms and children.
“I wanted people to realise that creativity isn’t about talent, it’s about expression,” she says. “It’s about rediscovering that childlike joy of creating without fear or judgment.”
In just a year, The Studio by Red’s Imagery became a lifeline for hundreds. Artists, parents, children, and even people in recovery found in it a rare sense of belonging – a place where laughter and colour replaced the worries of the world, even just for a little while.
From Crisis to Community: When the Givers come together
But earlier this year, Carlee faced a devastating setback. When her phone was stolen, hackers gained access to her accounts and drained her savings – putting her studio’s future at risk.
Without hesitation, Carlee’s cousin Kayla Smith stepped in, launching a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy on October 10, 2025, titled “Help Keep The Studio Alive – A Home for Creatives.” The goal: R50,000 to cover operating costs while Carlee rebuilt.
“Carlee has given so much of herself to others,” Kayla shared. “This studio is more than four walls – it’s a home for creativity and connection. When she lost everything, we knew we had to rally behind her.”
In just weeks, the campaign has already raised R34,350 from 11 generous donors, proof of how deeply her work has touched lives.
For Carlee, that response has been nothing short of humbling.
“I was blown away,” she admits. “I always thought my community was small – just a handful of people who believed in what I do. But when this happened, I saw an army behind me. People fought for me when I couldn’t fight alone.”
Healing Through Colour, Connection, and Community
The studio’s heart beats strongest in its Splatter Room – a space where adults laugh like children, letting go of fear and perfectionism.
“People walk in afraid to be messy,” Carlee smiles, “and within minutes, they’re laughing, covered in paint, and rediscovering joy. That laughter gets me every time.”
But The Studio isn’t just about play – it’s about healing. From Addicts Having Coffee, a powerful podcast hosted by Toni Becker that found a home in Carlee’s space, to children overcoming emotional trauma through painting, the stories born within these walls are extraordinary.
Addicts Having Coffee, a powerful podcast hosted by Toni Becker
Eight-year-old art student Chelsea (name changed for privacy) joined The Studio during her parents’ divorce – a time filled with confusion and pain. Under Carlee’s gentle guidance, she found strength through art and even went on to win her school’s art competition two years in a row.
“Art became her escape,” shared Chelsea’s mom, Dr. Desrei Naidoo. “It gave her confidence, joy, and a place to belong. I have Carlee and The Studio to thank for that.”
Carlee’s compassion extends to every visitor, whether it’s a corporate professional seeking balance or someone in recovery rediscovering purpose. As Toni Becker describes it,
“Carlee’s studio is a real haven for healing. It’s calm, grounding, and alive with hope. Every guest who’s come here has felt safe and seen.”
Colouring the Future with Hope
Despite the hardship, Carlee continues to paint her story with resilience.
“I promised myself I’d never see the world as working against me,” she reflects. “Even when this happened, I chose to see it as a test of how deeply I wanted to live my purpose.”
She hopes that her journey – and the ongoing campaign – inspire others to take that first brave step toward healing or creativity.
“Healing doesn’t always start with big steps,” she says softly. “Sometimes, it starts with something simple – picking up a brush or trying something new. Creativity connects us, and connection saves lives.”
For Carlee, the dream remains the same: to keep The Studio’s doors open as a home for connection, colour, and creative courage. And thanks to her community – and strangers moved by her story – that dream is within reach once more.
Stand with Carlee
Carlee’s story is one of hope, resilience, and the power of art to unite people. Her journey reminds us that even in the darkest moments, creativity can be a light – and that communities thrive when they stand together.
To support Carlee, visit her BackaBuddy campaign link here:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/help-keep-the-studio-alive-a-home-for-creatives
Together, we can help keep the colours of hope alive – one brushstroke, one act of kindness, and one donation at a time, so Carlee’s vision of healing through art and community continues to thrive.
