by Tessa Van Rensberg | May 15, 2026 | Impact Updates
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, Malcolm Katz, a well-known and much-loved member of the Plettenberg Bay community, is facing the daily realities of living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). What began as a personal appeal through the Malcolm Katz ALS support campaign quickly became something much bigger, as people from across his community and beyond stepped forward to stand with him.
In just over a month, a BackaBuddy campaign created in his honour raised R226 883, surpassing its R200 000 goal through the generosity of 128 donors.
A Life Built on Connection
If you’ve spent time in Plettenberg Bay, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Malcolm.
For years, he was the friendly face behind the local Mugg & Bean. People remember more than just the coffee, they remember how he made them feel. Welcomed. Seen. Part of something.
That same spirit carried into every part of his life. Time with his wife Marcia, their children Danny and Limor, long walks, music, games with friends. Malcolm has always been someone who brought people together.
Living with ALS
Two years ago, Malcolm was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive condition that slowly affects movement and muscle control.
At first, the changes were subtle. Today, everyday tasks are becoming harder. He still manages short distances with a walker, but his mobility is increasingly limited.
His family began preparing for what lies ahead.
They knew that soon, Malcolm would need specialised support to remain comfortable at home, including an electric wheelchair and an adjustable care bed. Equipment that would allow him to move, rest, and continue engaging with the people and spaces he loves.
The cost of that care is significant. So they asked for help.
Malcolm’s Community Shows Up
What followed has been deeply moving.
Donations came in not just from close friends and family, but from people whose lives Malcolm had touched over the years, some in small, quiet ways that were never forgotten.
Alongside the donations came messages that tell their own story:
“To my special friend, please accept a small token of my appreciation for our friendship.”
“Malcolm and Marcia. Our families go way back. This is in honour of all the love and warmth your late mom Z”L Golda and dad Z”L Selwyn gave to my family. May Hashem watch over you all. We send love. Always.”
“I knew Malcolm as we shared a fence in Fairmount a long time ago. He was always a warm, friendly neighbour. Our family wishes him well.”
These aren’t just messages. They are reminders of a life lived with kindness, generosity, and genuine human connection. Within weeks, the campaign reached its goal and kept going.
More Than Financial Support
The funds raised will go toward essential equipment and care. But the impact goes far beyond that.
It has given Malcolm’s family breathing room during an incredibly difficult time. It has allowed them to focus on care, on time together, on being present.
And for Malcolm, it’s something even more personal, knowing that the people he has shown up for over the years are now showing up for him.
A Shared Effort
Every donation tells a story.
A customer who remembers a conversation.
A friend from years ago.
A neighbour who wanted to help in some small way.
Together, those stories have created something meaningful.
Malcolm spent years bringing people together without ever expecting anything in return. Now, that same community is standing beside him.
Continuing the Journey
Although the initial goal has been reached, Malcolm’s journey with ALS is ongoing. His needs will continue to evolve over time, and support will remain an important part of that journey.
For those who would like to contribute or follow along, the campaign remains open.
👉 Visit the campaign page to support Malcolm
Sharing his story can also help reach someone who may want to stand alongside him and his family.
Launch your own crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy
Stories like Malcolm’s remind us how powerful community support can be, whether it’s for medical care, education, emergencies, or helping someone through a difficult season. BackaBuddy has helped raise over R630 million for causes across South Africa.
by Tessa Van Rensberg | May 15, 2026 | Impact Updates
A cancer crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy is helping 21-year-old Courtney Butler and her family navigate the overwhelming emotional and financial realities that often come with a cancer diagnosis. In just over a month, supporters helped Courtney’s campaign raise more than R56 000, surpassing its original goal and giving her family much-needed financial relief as she begins treatment.
A Young Woman Facing an Unexpected Diagnosis
Courtney Butler is a daughter, sister, and friend whose life changed suddenly after being diagnosed with cancer at just 21 years old. For her family, the diagnosis started the journey no parent ever feels prepared for.
As Courtney started navigating consultations, treatment planning, and the uncertainty that comes with serious illness, the financial pressure quickly became impossible to ignore. The costs linked to cancer care continue to grow and include:
- Chemotherapy and medication
- Specialist consultations
- Ongoing treatment
- Potential surgery in Cape Town
- Travel and accommodation costs for Courtney and her family
Like many South African families facing a medical crisis, the Butler family found themselves trying to balance emotional survival with financial strain.
Cancer Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy Gains Support
To help ease some of that burden, family friend Mariet Schroder launched a cancer crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. The response was immediate and deeply emotional. Within weeks:
- R56 756 was raised
- 114% of the campaign goal was reached
- Supporters from across the community contributed messages, encouragement, and donations
The impact was an incredible testament to the love Courtney’s community carried for her. Alongside the donations came messages of love and support from people wanting Courtney and her family to know they were not alone in this fight.
More Than Medical Costs
For many families, crowdfunding during illness becomes about more than financial assistance. It creates breathing room during moments that feel impossible to manage alone. Every contribution toward Courtney’s campaign helped reduce one more layer of stress, allowing her parents to focus less on bills and more on supporting their daughter through treatment. And for those donating, the campaign created a way to show up meaningfully during a deeply difficult time.
Why Cancer Crowdfunding Matters
A medical crowdfunding campaign often becomes a bridge between vulnerability and support. When someone receives a serious diagnosis, friends, family, and even strangers want to help, but often don’t know how.
Crowdfunding creates a practical way for people to contribute, whether through donations, sharing the campaign, or simply reminding a family that they are being held by a wider community. Courtney’s story is also a reminder that support is rarely built through one grand gesture. Instead, it grows through many smaller acts of kindness coming together at the right moment.
👉 Get the Guide: If you’re thinking about launching a medical crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, here’s everything you need to know.
Holding Onto Hope Through Uncertainty
While Courtney’s treatment journey is still unfolding, the campaign has already made a meaningful difference to her family. The support they’ve received has helped lighten the emotional weight that so often accompanies serious illness, especially for young adults facing uncertain futures. And in moments where fear can easily take over, knowing that people care can become its own form of strength.
Start Your Own Crowdfunding Campaign on BackaBuddy
Whether you’re raising funds for medical treatment, education, community initiatives, animal welfare, or personal challenges, BackaBuddy gives South Africans a trusted space to ask for support when it matters most.
by Tessa Van Rensberg | May 6, 2026 | Impact Updates
George, Western Cape, The Marlene Heeringa final wish fundraiser began with a simple but deeply meaningful request: to help a mother spend time with her children in Germany after receiving devastating news about her health.
In just two months, 29 donors came together to raise over R60 000, surpassing the original R40 000 goal and turning that final wish into a reality.
You can learn more about similar journeys right here on our platform.
A Journey Marked by Strength
Marlene’s story stretches back to 2017, when she was first diagnosed with rectal cancer. After multiple surgeries and the life-changing adjustment of a stoma bag, she rebuilt her life and continued forward with resilience. For years, she lived fully, carrying on with the same selflessness her family knew so well.
Her daughter Tanya describes her simply:
“She is one of the world’s best treasures, always thinking of everyone and always putting herself last.”
When the Cancer Returned
Last year, things began to change. What started as back pain slowly revealed something far more serious. After further tests, the family received the news they had hoped would never come, the cancer had returned and had already spread. This time, the focus shifted.
Not to treatment plans or long-term recovery, but to time.
To presence.
To being together.
A Simple, Powerful Wish
When Tanya asked her mom what she wanted most, the answer was immediate: To spend time with her children in Germany. Not something extravagant. Not something complicated. Just time with family. But making that journey possible required financial support, something the family could not manage alone. So Tanya did something incredibly vulnerable. She asked for help.
29 People Made It Happen
What followed was quiet, but powerful. 29 donors stepped in. Some gave what they could. Others shared the story so it could reach further. Together, they raised over R60 000, more than enough to make the trip possible.
It wasn’t a large crowd.
It wasn’t a viral moment.
But it was enough. And that’s what mattered.
What This Support Really Means
This campaign was never about money alone. It was about giving a mother the chance to:
- Be surrounded by her children
- Create final memories together
- Share moments that time would otherwise take away
When someone is facing the reality that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, these moments become everything.
The Power of Showing Up
The Marlene Heeringa final wish crowdfunding campaign is a reminder that impact doesn’t require thousands of people. Sometimes, it takes just a handful of individuals choosing to care. 29 people made sure a family didn’t have to carry this moment alone. 29 people helped turn a wish into something real.
Why These Stories Matter
There are many families quietly facing similar moments, where time becomes the most valuable thing they have. Crowdfunding creates a way for others to step in, to share the weight, and to make something meaningful possible when it matters most.
It doesn’t take much.
But it does take people.
by Tessa Van Rensberg | May 5, 2026 | Impact Updates
In Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, the De Jagers’ baby crowdfunding campaign began as a simple, urgent plea: to give one family the chance to welcome their child to the world safely. What followed was something few could have predicted. In just over a month, R73 436 was raised by 199 donors, beating their original R60 000 goal and helping the De Jager family move forward with a planned, safe birth for their second baby girl.
It Was a Pregnancy Filled with Fear
For Gerrit De Jager and his wife, this pregnancy came with known risks. During their first child’s birth, complications escalated quickly. What started as a natural delivery became life-threatening, forcing an emergency C-section to save both mother and baby.
Doctors were clear afterwards, future pregnancies would require a planned C-section. So, when they found out they were expecting again, they followed every step. They shared medical records, asked for guidance, and tried to prepare as best they could.
But their experience within the public healthcare system left them feeling uncertain. Appointments were delayed. Decisions changed. Despite clear medical history, Gerrit’s wife was not consistently treated as a high-risk patient. And with each passing day, the fear became harder to ignore.
“We Are Asking for Safety”
The family made the difficult decision to seek private care, not for comfort, but for certainty. They needed a planned C-section, proper monitoring, and the reassurance that both mother and baby would be safe. So they shared their story through the De Jager baby crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy.
Support Showed up, and That Changed the Outcome
What happened next was steady and powerful. Donations came in from all directions. Some gave small amounts. Others shared the campaign so it could reach further. Every action mattered. The campaign didn’t just reach its goal; it surpassed it. For the De Jager family, the moment was overwhelming:
“How do we say thank you? From our family to yours, thank you so much. We reached and surpassed the goal. May God bless you…wow!! Much love”
A Campaign That Means More Than Words
The funds raised will go toward ensuring a safe delivery in a private hospital, something that once felt out of reach. The impact of a community coming together for the De Jagers goes beyond just financial support. It brought relief. It brought certainty. It gave a family the chance to focus on welcoming their baby, instead of fearing what could go wrong.
The De Jagers Story That Reflects Something Much Bigger
The De Jager baby campaign is one of many examples of how crowdfunding in South Africa is helping families navigate moments where timing and access matter most. When systems pose challenges, people find other ways to show up. And sometimes, those small acts, a donation, a share, a message, come together to change the outcome entirely.
Start your own crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy
If you’re facing a moment where you need support, you don’t have to navigate it alone. BackaBuddy has helped thousands of South Africans raise funds for medical needs, emergencies, and family support.
by Tessa Van Rensberg | May 5, 2026 | Impact Updates
The Candice vs Cancer crowdfunding campaign has become a powerful example of how people can come together in support of someone facing an incredibly difficult health journey. Candice Labuschagne, a Cape Town resident, has been living with inflammatory breast cancer since July 2023, a rare and aggressive form of the disease. Over time, her story has resonated with many, and through her BackaBuddy campaign, 49 donors helped her surpass her R40 000 goal, raising over R54 000 to support her ongoing treatment and medical expenses.
If you’re facing a similar challenge, you can start a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy here.
A Long and Demanding Medical Journey
Candice’s journey has not been straightforward. Since her diagnosis, she has undergone multiple forms of treatment, including five different chemotherapy regimens, repeated radiation sessions, and several major surgeries, including a double mastectomy.
Alongside this, she has endured frequent hospital stays, blood transfusions, scans, and ongoing medical procedures. In 2025, her situation became even more complex when the cancer spread to her stomach lining. A large tumour was discovered, requiring stronger chemotherapy and urgent medical intervention. Through it all, Candice continued working for as long as she could, only stepping back in October 2025 as her health demands increased.
When Medical Aid Isn’t Enough
Even with medical aid, the reality many patients face is that not all treatments, medications, or procedures are fully covered. For Candice, this meant mounting out-of-pocket costs, from hospital bills and scans to medication and ongoing weekly chemotherapy treatments. The financial strain became overwhelming.
“I am a proud person, and asking for help hasn’t been easy,” she shared in her campaign. “But I feel I have no other option.”
Her goal was simple and practical, to cover overdue medical expenses and help fund the next phase of her treatment until her oncology benefits reset.
49 People, One Shared Purpose
What followed is something we see time and time again on BackaBuddy: people showing up. Friends, family, and even strangers contributed what they could. Some gave once, others shared her story, helping it reach more people. Together, 49 donors raised over R54 000, exceeding her goal.
That support has helped ease the immediate financial pressure, allowing Candice to focus more fully on her health and treatment. This is what crowdfunding looks like at its best: small acts of kindness adding up to something that genuinely changes someone’s day-to-day reality.
The Real Impact Behind the Numbers
Reaching and surpassing her goal means more than just covering costs. It means:
- Fewer delays in accessing treatment
- Less stress about unpaid medical bills
- The ability to continue necessary chemotherapy
- Space to focus on healing, not just surviving financially
For someone navigating a serious illness, that kind of relief matters deeply. It allows energy to be directed where it’s needed most.
Why Stories Like Candice’s Matter
Candice’s campaign reflects something bigger than a single fundraising effort. It highlights how many people are quietly facing similar challenges, managing illness while trying to keep up with financial demands that often feel out of reach. It also shows how powerful it can be when people come together, even in small ways. No single donation carried the campaign; it was the collective effort that made the difference.
A Reminder of What’s Possible
Candice’s journey is ongoing, but this milestone is a meaningful one. It’s a reminder that asking for help, while difficult, can open the door for others to step in with compassion and generosity. And it shows that people are willing to support when they understand the need.
To follow Candice’s journey or learn more about her story, visit her BackaBuddy campaign here. If you’re unable to donate, sharing her story can still make a difference.
Launch your own crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy
After reading Candice’s story, you might know someone facing medical costs, education needs, or a difficult life moment. BackaBuddy has helped raise over R630 million for causes across South Africa, connecting people who need help with those who want to give.
