‘Diabetic Alert Dog’ will manage 2-year-old Jenna-Mae’s insulin levels as they rise & fall

by Zane Groenewald | Feb 16, 2022 | Campaign, Featured

In September 2021, Jenna-Mae van der Vyver, an ‘exceptionally smart and compassionate’ 2-year-old girl from Krugersdorp, Johannesburg, was diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1, an auto-immune condition, which typically appears during adolescence.

As Type 1 diabetes is not lifestyle or diet-related, being insulin-dependent will be a lifelong struggle for Jenna-Mae.

While in the ‘honeymoon phase’ as doctors coin it, Jenna-Mae’s insulin levels are erratic and hard to predict, resulting in many sleepless nights for her parents, Cherise (38) and Johan (47), who are worried that one day she might not make it through the night.

“Nothing is as scary as sleeping at night, hoping & praying she won’t go low, fall into a coma, and you won’t hear your alarm for her nightly midnight, 2 am and 4 am checks. Or, when you drive back from the shops (just 5 minutes) and you reach home to an unresponsive, unreactive child in the back seat… even though you checked her insulin levels 5 minutes ago… you shake her, scream at her to wake up and try to shove something sugary in her mouth without choking her… not cool mense, not cool.” – says Cherise

Jenna-Mae, with her mom Cherise and dad Johan.

Jenna-Mae handles her condition with understanding and bravery, taking pokes and pricks and injections with a determined attitude, and generally without complaint, according to her mum.

“When her insulin levels are high she is overly busy and unfocused but understands that she is unable to eat sugar or carbs as it will make her feel sick. When she is low she can be very tearful, emotional, tired, and clingy, but she will often tell us to grab her a Super C to bring her levels up” says Cherise

Jenna-Mae playing dress-up / Cherise Brady Photography

Found: A dog to join the pack

As Jenna-Mae is so little, and can’t always communicate to her parents how she is feeling, her parents found the perfect solution, in the form of a Diabetic Alert Dog.

Incredibly, Diabetic Alert Dogs can detect high or low insulin levels, using their keen sense of smell, up to 20 minutes before devices can.

To purchase a ‘paramedic pup’ and cover his/her food and medical needs over the next 12 months while in training, the van der Vyver family launched a crowdfunding campaign on Backabuddy, which exceeded its target by reaching over R65 000 kind donations from 67 donors.

Update: Puppy Training has kicked off

Thefunds raised have been paid directly to Honey’s Guide Dogs, a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town which does a phenomenal job of selecting, training, and matching these incredible canines with their ‘forever companions’.

Jenna-Mae is incredibly excited to meet her furry friend, who will forever watch out for her, accompany her to school, and wherever her heart takes her.

There was initially three lovely sighthounds (greyhound) pups up for consideration, but we are happy to say it looks like Jenna-Mae will be getting a gorgeous young female pup named Isla. Isla is ALSO a rescue from Sighthound Rescue and Lucy from Honey’s Garden always tries her best to save dogs that would otherwise not have a home. Double win!!

 

Isla is a very cuddly dog with a gentle nature but is also a very active and playful pup. Isla is in a wonderful foster home now busy with training and has already completed a very successful puppy training year. Our very smart puppy has now started full-time “hero training” to be a qualified service dog.

 

Part of the process will also be sending down frozen saliva samples from Jenna-Mae so that Isla can get used to the scent of Jenna-Mae’s “highs” & “lows”. We are getting there people! It is becoming so real! Thanks again to each and every single person. We are so thankful, more than words will ever express!

Support this campaign on BackaBuddy: 

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/jenna-mae-van-der-vyver

Alternatively, make a donation via Snapscan: 

https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/Jenna-Mae-Van-Der-Vyver

If the fundraising campaign exceeds its target, the family will use additional funds raised to purchase Freestyle Libre sensor devices, which will be able to read Jenna-Mae’s sugar levels more accurately and less painfully. These devices cost R1000 and last up to 14 days.

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 R330 Million.

• Raise funds for an individual or cause.
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• Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.

Cableway Guide to summit Table Mountain 365 times in 2022 to build safe haven for children

by Zane Groenewald | Feb 14, 2022 | Campaign, Featured

Rudy van Dieman (26), a tour guide for Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, began 2022 with an ambitious goal: to achieve 365 summits up Table Mountain, for charity.

The challenge which began on 1 January 2022, and will end on the 31st December 2022, came about as a means to show youngsters the power of a strong work ethic and demonstrate that they can achieve anything they set their hearts and minds to.

“What youngsters in our society need today, is a good role model, to show them that there are opportunities outside of drugs. crime and gangsterism and drugs. I hope my challenge will be a beacon of hope for those in disadvantaged communities” Says Rudy

Rudy, who has worked with several charities since matriculating high school in 2014, is focused this year on uplifting a new organisation, Angels SA, located in his hometown of Mitchells Plain, Cape Town.

With a crowdfunding campaign launched on Backabuddy, Rudy hopes to raise R1 Million, which the organisation can use to purchase a safe house for children.

“In Mitchells Plain, there are only three known orphanages, two are for babies until five years, and after that, children are placed in safe houses for three months then move from home to house until they find families to keep them longer.  With the safe house, we want to create a stable life and environment for children, where they can stay until the age of 18, before entering the job market” – says Rudy

Rudy on Day 3 of his challenge.

Since the launch of his campaign Rudy has raised almost R5000 with kind contributions from 17 donors.

Thus far, Rudy has completed 44 climbs up Table Mountain, covering a distance of over 100 km, and has been joined by more than 15 individuals supporting his cause.

Rudy with a group of students inspired by his cause

Rudy’s initiative is inspired by his hero, Andrew Patterson, who through his 365 Ubuntu Climbs challenge in 2018,  raised almost R1 Million rand on BackaBuddy, to support Habitat for Humanity, One Heart, and The Sunflower Fund. Read More.

“I watched Andrew climb table mountain every day through the summer sun and winter rain, I could never understand why he would do this. The more I watched him, the more it became clear to me, ‘to focus on today and what you can do right now to make South Africa better’ as Andrew says” – Rudy

Rudy with ‘Mountain Man’, Andrew Patterson in 2018

“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

Determined to make a difference

Working full-time, living with epilepsy, and struggling financially, in conjunction with the physical demands of his challenge, has been difficult but no less rewarding says Rudy, who is determined to keep going.

“Just as life is difficult for so many people, this challenge hasn’t been a walk in the park, but I remain positive, and through God’s grace I am finding balance. I am putting one foot in front of the other, concentrating on the important things in life and trying my best to create positive change” – says Rudy

One step at a time, Rudy is determined to reach his goal

Support Rudy’s campaign on BackaBuddy:

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/angels-sa-project-365

Alternatively, donate via Snapscan:

https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/AngelsSAProject365

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 R290 Million.

• Raise funds for an individual or cause.
• Register your non-profit organisation.
• Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.

TRIGGER WARNING | Single mom and two young daughters fall victim to terrifying pit bull attack

by Zane Groenewald | Feb 12, 2022 | Campaign, Featured

On 14 December 2021, Marizka De Villiers (26) and her two daughters Megan (5) and Chané (9 months), were brutally attacked by the neighbour’s pit bull on an agricultural plot in Randfontein, Johannesburg.

While looking for their dog which went missing, the neighbours dog broke through his chain, began circling Megan, and eventually attacked her face.

“I was fighting with the pitbull while holding my baby in my arms. I shouted out for help but no one came. I told Megan to lay still and to be quiet so that the pitbull would think that she’s dead” – says Marizka.

Without transport, Marizka walked to the nearest road, carrying both her children in her arms, and flagged down a motorist, who drove them to Mohtlakeng 24hr clinic.

Trying to save Megan’s life, Marizka got bitten on both her arms and on her hand, while holding Baby Chané, who suffered serious bites on her lower leg and limb, exposing the muscle to the left of her groin.

Megan’s injuries to her face and arms were so severe, that her chances of survival were minimal.

In need of serious medical attention, Marizka, Megan, and Chané were soon transferred to Leratong Hospital. Megan’s heart stopped beating for the first time on the way there.

Arriving at Leratong Hospital, which was at full capacity, Megan was declared “dead on arrival” as she lost a lot of blood and wasn’t breathing.

In the ambulance on the way to Baragwanath Hospital, Megan’s heart stopped beating for a second time. Fighting for her life, Megan didn’t give up and she pulled through, against all odds.

“This has by far been the most traumatic experience of my life. I have never been so scared and felt more helpless. It felt like time stood still while waiting to hear if my girls were going to make it” – says Marizka.

Hoping for Healing

After a week in the hospital, and not in need of surgery, Chané was eventually discharged on 21st December 2021.

Since the ordeal, Megan has had surgery on her face to close her wounds, as well as surgery on her lower and upper eyelids. She was finally discharged on Christmas eve, 24th December 2021, after spending 2 weeks in hospital.

The family has since moved to Hillshaven, Westonaria.

“Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and happiness, but it was a very difficult time for our family. Every time I see our battle wounds, I am reminded of what we have gone through. Our lives changed in an instant”  says Marizka.

Megan on 12 Jan 2022.

To assist the family with the reconstruction surgery Megan will need to undergo, as well as the trauma and occupational therapy she will need, Carol Murphy, a good samaritan, who met Marizka at Leratong Hospital, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to appeal to the public for support.

Since the launch of the campaign, over R5000 has been raised, towards the family’s fundraising target of R50 000, with kind contributions from 10 donors both locally and internationally.

Funds raised will be used for the family’s medical expenses and transport, as Marizka is currently unemployed, and doesn’t have medical aid or access to her own vehicle.

“I just want the girls to get the best treatment and surgery they might need and to be together. If this target is reached it will keep my faith in humankind, but most importantly, help the family who desperately needs help” – says Carol

Megan on 7 Feb 2022

“Megan is physically doing well but emotionally she’s struggling with the whole situation. I hope that she will recover fully and that she can get the best medical care” – says Marizka

Support this campaign on BackaBuddy: 

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/mb-de-villiers

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 raised over R300 Million.

• Raise funds for an individual or cause.
• Register your non-profit organisation.
• Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.

Devastating Car Accident claims life of mother (36), daughter (9), daughter (6) suffers severe injuries

by Zane Groenewald | Feb 4, 2022 | Campaign, Featured

On the evening of 21 January 2022, Christeen Syffert (36) and her two daughters, Justeen (9) and Leanie (6) were involved in a serious motor vehicle accident on N17 Voortrekker Road in Alberton. The family was on their way home after seeing Christeen’s mom.

Paramedics arrived on the scene and found a car, a bakkie, and an SUV that had collided, according to an ER24 statement.

Christeen was trapped in her vehicle, and Justeen and Leanie lay on the ground a few metres away.

Tragically, Christeen died on the accident scene, and Lianie and Justeen were rushed to Netcare Union Hospital suffering critical injuries.

Justeen had bleeding on the brain and lung, injured her liver, and fractured her spine and leg. Sadly, a week after the incident, Justeen passed away from internal injuries and brain damage at Netcare Union Hospital.

As a result of the accident, little Lianie fractured her skull, injured her liver, broke her teeth, and suffered facial cuts as well as a dislocated jaw. She was later placed in an induced coma to allow her body to heal. Lianie has since been transferred to the pediatric ward at the Clinton Hospital, where her distraught father, Neil, watches over her.

“Lianie is doing much better but the road to recovery is still long and hard. She woke up from the seduced coma. Lianie had an operation on Wednesday, 2 February, where they inserted plates in her face. (She has lots of crushed bones on her face)” – says Christeen’s sister-in-law, Cornel Pretorius.

Mounting medical bills

To support the family, who doesn’t have medical aid, with their mounting medical bills, Cornel, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, which has since raised over R230 000, towards their fundraising target of R1 Million rand, to cover the families current and future medical costs. 

More than 450 donors both locally and abroad have stepped in to help the family during this traumatic time in their lives.

“I would deeply appreciate you sharing their campaign with your network to help them receive the help I require. Please also consider pledging a monthly donation to enable their family to pay for their medical bills” – says Cornel

Speaking to Elzaan Pienaar at the Alberton Rekord, Cornel said:

“Christeen and Neil were married for 11 years. She was the most loving person who always wanted to help everyone as if it was a shoulder to cry on. She was the support pillar that kept the family together.

“We are going to miss Christeen’s smile and just everything about her. She was always so positive and giving. Her hands stood still for nothing.”

Support the Syffert family on BackaBuddy: 

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/justeen-and-lianie

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 R290 Million.

• Raise funds for an individual or cause.
• Register your non-profit organisation.
• Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.