Sarah Ferguson, an ultra-distance swimmer from South Africa, has completed an incredible 516.49km of the 1 500km One Ocean Swim from her home town of Durban through to Cape Town.
However, without further donations towards her plastic pollution awareness campaign, Ferguson will have put her dream of achieving this unmatched feat, within a year, on hold.
“I started this journey to alert people to the realities of plastic pollution and show people what can be done to tackle this global problem,” explained the founder of NPO, Breathe Conservation.
“I’m swimming through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to showcase the incredible coastline we enjoy in South Africa, and am stopping along the way to engage with local communities about ocean conservation and beach clean-up initiatives.”
Ferguson embarked on this adventure on Monday, 21 February from Durban Undersea Club (DUC) and is being accompanied by a team of supporters who are monitoring her progress.
She is swimming the distance in stages, aiming for four-to-five-hour swims at a time with rest days every so often. Throughout every stage, Ferguson is actively documenting the experience in videos and infographics which are being shared online.
Stats include the distances covered per day, the weather, water quality, number of strokes, marine creatures she’s encountered – and the plastic count.
While Sarah’s enjoyed significant encounters with numerous marine life – gannet, hammerhead shark, dolphins and orange jellyfish among them – as well as positive engagements with welcoming communities, the journey is not without its challenges. Some of these include water visibility, as well as rapidly decreasing water temperatures the closer she gets to Cape Town.
Sarah Ferguson (Plastic Oceans)
However, Ferguson is no stranger to challenging adventures. In 2019, she became the first person to swim around Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and, in 2017 she made history by becoming the first woman from the African continent to complete the 46km Kai’wi Channel between the Hawaiian islands of Oahu and Molokai.
“We have officially finished the first major stage of our One Ocean Swim, and what a ride it’s been! I managed the last 10km in cooler 23-degree water in 2 hours about 3km off the back line before jumping in the boat to meet the most incredible crew from East London. We were given a massive welcome with hot showers and hot chocolate before heading to our home base.
“I am incredibly overwhelmed by the support and love and donations of food, cash, accommodation and encouragement on this journey. It’s been a crazy wild ride but we are here and hope to keep going as soon as possible. Thank you is not enough!”
Ferguson and her One Ocean Swim team are reliant on the generosity of conservation-minded sponsors to complete this epic journey.
Speaking on 5 April 2022, Ferguson said:
“Yesterday was our last day of swimming unless we get more funding. The team and I have given everything we have to get this far and want nothing more than to get to Mossel Bay by May. We are doing this for the ocean, not for ourselves.”
Sarah Ferguson (Plastic Oceans)
Ferguson and her One Ocean Swim team are reliant on the generosity of conservation-minded sponsors to complete this epic journey.
The team is aiming to raise around R3 million on BackaBuddy, which will cover all relevant costs to get to Cape Town, as well as funding for educational talks to communities between June and November.
Since the launch of the campaign, over R70 000 has been raised with kind contributions from 67 donors both locally and internationally.
www.backabuddy.co.za/breathe-fundraiser
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/OneOceanSwim
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 R312 Million.
Janique Venter, a fun-loving 4-year-old young girl from Bloemfontein, was diagnosed with stage 3 Neuroblastoma Cancer, at 6 months old.
With this form of cancer, tumours develop from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body.
Thus far, none of the chemotherapy treatments available in South Africa has been effective for Janique, and because of the placement of her tumour, which is on the right side of her neck, surgery would be life-threatening.
Although Janique’s health is rapidly deteriorating as her tumour grows, she doesn’t know the severity of her condition or that she has cancer.
“Janique always has a smile on her face, despite the pain of the many procedures she’s had to endure since she was a baby. We can’t bring ourselves to tell our little one that she has cancer. We tell her that she has a ‘bug’, that Jesus is busy taking away” – says Janique’s mom, Nadia.
To assist the Venter family, Karin Harmse, founder of Arms of Mercy NPC, is on a mission to help Janique get to Burzynski Clinic in Houston, Texas, for gene-targeted therapy through antineoplaston, which has been used to treat neuroblastoma with highly promising results.
Through the launch of crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, Karin is appealing to the public for support, to help cover the cost of the trip to Boston, as well as the treatment, estimated to cost over R750 000, which is Janique’s ‘last chance’.
“Janique has waited for over 15 months for her miracle and time is running out. She is very close to my heart and my heart just can’t bear the pain anymore. Please open your hearts for this cancer warrior who is in dire need of your help and share her story far and wide” – Karin
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/karin-harmse
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/KarinHarmse
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 R313 Million.
7-month-old, Baby Novah De Wet, from Aggeneys, Northern Cape, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 1, a fatal, rare genetic disorder that affects important motor neurons in the body, responsible for movement and muscle development.
The condition which is the most common inherited fatal disease in infants can be treated with a miracle gene therapy drug, Zolgensma, available only in the US, which costs an astronomical R35 Million rand ($2.3 Million).
For a chance to receive the drug for at no cost, Baby Novah has entered the Global Managed Access programme offered by the drug manufacturer, Novartis, which has been established to offer free access to the once-off treatment to 100 patients worldwide per year in countries in which the drug is not yet approved, including South Africa.
With no guarantee that she will be selected as the one of the patients, as the program works with a ‘lottery’ system, the De Wet family have partnered with the Angel Network to launch a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, appealing to the public, and corporations for financial support during this difficult time.
“Hearing that our beautiful child has a life expectancy of just 2-years, is a sentence we just can’t accept, as we stare in our little girl’s eyes. Sleeping in my arms, we promised her we would fight for a happy ending, and that is exactly what we plan to do. While we have a steep mountain to climb, our mission is not impossible, and that is what we need to believe, to save our little supernova” – says Clement.
Novartis has approved a three year payment plan for the drug, if the family can cover the cost of the R17.8 Million ($1.2 Million) deposit, which the campaign hopes to fund.
Since the launch of the campaign, generous donors have already made contributions to the value of R13 000. Funds raised will be paid directly to the relevant institution. Donors will be eligible for Section 18a tax certificates, issued by The Angel Network.
As baby Novah’s condition is extremely progressive, time is of the essence, says her dad, Clement.
“As a family, our dream is that our little girl can live a long, happy and healthy life. We know that with this drug, a bright future awaits our little one. We ask that you hear our hearts, share our story, and donate if you can. You will be saving baby Novah’s life, and heal our family” says Clement.
Baby Novah with her dad, Clement, mom Charene and her big sister Hayleigh
If Baby Novah is selected in the lottery, funds raised will be returned to the donors or used to fund another patient with the same condition.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/baby-novah
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/baby-novah
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 R312 Million.
Josh Crichton (13) from Bedfordview, Johannesburg was a micro premature baby at birth, weighing only 750 grams.
At just 7 months old, unable to reach any of his milestones, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.
Despite being severely physically disabled and unable to talk, Josh is a lovely, happy child, always joining in with a laugh when someone makes a joke.
“He is truly so strong and a huge inspiration to all around him and always manages to smile in these trying times.” – says his mom, Denise
Josh’s mom, Denise has been at her son’s side since he was born, as he is unable to do anything on his own.
She lovingly understands him and his needs, but like any superhero mom, she could do it with some help, especially after losing her job in May 2021.
Josh Crichton is always smiling
To help Denise hire a carer for Josh, so that she can return to work, and make a better life for the two of them, non-profit organisation, The Angel Network, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to reach out to the public for much-needed support.
Since the launch of the campaign, over R47 000 has been raised with the help of 23 extraordinary donors, towards their target of R100 000.
Funds raised will also help Denise cover the cost of Josh’s medical aid which covers his nappies, wet wipes, syringes, operations, and the chronic medication which keeps him alive.
Josh’s medical needs are a source of tremendous stress for Denise, as his medical savings are depleting rapidly.
Hospital visits and operations have been a constant for Josh throughout his lifetime.
Josh has undergone a Nissen fundoplication surgery to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, a gastric volvulus operation, various Botox procedures, tendon lengthening, and has been fitted with a feeding tube on two occasions.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/samantha-parrish
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/JoshandDenise
All donors are eligible for a Section 18a Tax certificate, issued by The Angel Network.
The Angel Network is an organization, run solely via the power of social media. They are a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO: 181-947) and Public Benefits Organisation (PBO).
Their goal is to create a gateway for giving. A platform from which helping where help is needed, is easily accessible to anyone wanting to do a little more, and give a little more.
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 R312 Million.
At the age of 25, Jayce De Villers (26) from Nelspruit, now working as an English teacher in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, finally embraced his true gender identity.
Born in a woman’s body, and sensing an attraction to the same sex, Jayce came out as a lesbian at the age of 12, but deep down sensed that he wasn’t being true to his authentic self.
“I knew something was wrong.. something was missing… something was not right. My past relationships never worked out due to my internal personal struggles,” says Jayce
Starting bodybuilding in 2018, as a vehicle to gain confidence (and mass), Jayce began entertaining the voice in his head telling him to embrace the man he always knew he was on the inside.
Jayce has finally embraced his true gender identity.
For the last 3 years, Jayce has been taking testosterone, which made a tremendous impact on not only his physical appearance but his mental health, too.
“From being masculine to having facial hair (still struggling) to my voice changing. I love what difference it has brought into my life, living in my own skin. But of course, there’s a lot still to accomplish before I would be okay with looking into the mirror and loving what I see.” – says Jayce
Taking strides towards self-actualization, Jayce has decided to take a giant leap, with the launch of a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to fund his top surgery in Thailand, estimated to cost R100 000.
“I hate to admit it but my breasts are something that kills me daily. To see the straps of my sports bra kills me. To wonder if my sports bra is showing underneath my button-up shirt kills me. To not swim at a beach because I don’t want another person coming to me and asking me why I wear a bra – kills me. I dream of the day where I can walk freely without a shirt and with confidence take a dip in the ocean or swimming pool with my beautiful wife.” – says Jayce
Jayce and his wife, Leandri
Jayce hopes that by sharing his story, he will not only be at home in his body, for the first time in his life but give other trans individuals the courage to live their truth.
“Having this surgery will finally grant me the freedom I have craved so desperately my whole life. Please open your heart to my story, and join me on this journey, whether your participation is a donation, a share, or a kind comment. This gesture of kindness and respect will mean the world to me, and empower others to take a step away from darkness, insecurity, self-loathing and into the light”
Jayce is ready for his top surgery.
“I’ve honestly never thought I would get things started in regards to Top Surgery and I’ve always envied a lot of people who put things in motion. Everyone before me and everyone after me who follows their hearts and lives a life worth living to themselves is an inspiration .” – says Jayce
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/jayce-de-villiers
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/JayceDevilliers
“The road to Gender Affirming Healthcare is not an easy one. Gender dysphoria is real and in certain cases results in death due to mental wellness. Medical Aids need to realise that this journey is not cosmetic. It takes true wisdom to fathom the unique difference between sex and gender.” – says Leila Ebrahim, from Gender DynamiX
Gender DynamiX (GDX), established in 2005, is the first registered Africa-based public benefit organisation to focus solely on trans and gender diverse communities. What started as a mere vision, slowly grew into a grassroots organisation. GDX has since become an institutionalised non-profit organisation (NPO) that is fundamental to the development of the trans and gender diverse movement(s) in South Africa and across southern Africa.
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 R312 Million.
With the ongoing unrest in Ukraine due to the devastating Russian Invasion, The Gift of the Givers has sprung into disaster management mode, working with South Africans on the ground, and various organisations to support repatriation efforts, deliver essential items and medical equipment to those in desperate need.
The initiative came to life at short notice, through various messages The Gift of The Givers received during the first days of the attack.
The first was a South African man, who managed to escape from Kyiv with his wife, who is from Ukraine when the bombing intensified.
At their new place of safety, The Gift of the Givers asked the couple to source supplies including food, baby food, diapers, sanitary pads, hygiene packs, warm clothes and essential medicines, from small shops and wholesalers, to ensure their availability as prices were skyrocketing.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder of The Gift of the Givers
Providing disaster intervention training at a distance has been an interesting challenge for The Gift of the Givers, says founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman who commends the volunteers who have been ‘beyond incredible in applying the theory practically.’
“We are expanding the teams and are organising them inside the “hot spots” where there is no entry point for supplies and are replicating the process, finding shops, supplying the funds, identifying specific needs and supplying.When you can’t get items from outside, be resourceful and find everything inside.”
Orphans, the elderly, ordinary people are all being assisted. We are funding the intervention by paying for fuel and everything associated with the purchase and delivery of essential and very basic necessities. We are setting up multiple storage areas. The teams are held by the hand and guided on the approach to disasters on a daily basis.” – says Dr Imtiaz Sooliman
The second request, The Gift of the Givers received, came from a cardiothoracic anaesthetist, who is also being guided on disaster management, the first lesson being on how to practise “emotional distancing”.
The person crossed into Ukraine on the 10th of March and is being provided with fuel and funds to purchase essential items from Europe to expand the scope, scale and speed of the intervention.
For members of the public hoping to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, The Gift of the Givers have launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, with a moving target of R1 Million rand.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/intervenes-in-ukraine
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/GiftofTheGiversUkraineAid
“The Gift of the Givers’ resilience and compassion is a true reflection of the South African spirit. We are exceptionally proud to partner with this incredible organisation, who strives to uplift humanity not just at home, but all over the globe” – says Catherine Du Plooy, BackaBuddy COO.
Foundations and companies alike are working with The Gift of the Givers to help in this time of crisis, where so many people are devastated, displaced, in shock and in despair.
“The Ukraine Association of South Africa has partnered with us. They are connected to medical personnel inside Ukraine. Medical supplies are being sourced inside the country and together with their own financial contributions, we will commence purchases of these life-saving materials for health facilities “trapped” in the hot spots.” says Dr Imtiaz Sooliman
Discussions have been held with medical aid societies, pharmaceutical companies and health facilities in South Africa to supply essential medicines which will be sent by commercial flight to support all other medical requirements inside Ukraine.
Suzanne Ackerman from the Ackerman Family Foundation has pledged R1.5 million towards the repatriation of South African and African students. McKinsey is putting together a package for the same purpose. DIRCO has also been engaging with Gift of the Givers on the repatriation matter.
For members of the public hoping to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, The Gift of the Givers have launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, with a moving target of R1 Million rand.
The Ukrainian Ambassador, Dr Liubov Abravitova, thanked the Gift of the Givers at a press conference on Monday, 7 March 2022, for their intervention in Ukraine and has requested a meeting to discuss humanitarian initiatives as soon as they are available.
The Gift of the Givers Foundation is the largest disaster response non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent. The essence of their presence is to bring hope and restore dignity to the most vulnerable.Over the last 27 years, they have delivered over R2.1 billion in aid to 43 countries around the world, including South Africa
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 R312 Million.