by Sanusha Shamdutt | Jul 30, 2024 | Campaign, Featured
In November 2023, 31-year-old Chané Coetzee received a life-altering diagnosis: Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma of the Lung. This rare form of cancer has only been diagnosed twice before in South Africa, as far as her doctors can confirm. The diagnosis has turned Chané’s world upside down, and her journey has been arduous.
Chané has bravely faced the physical and emotional challenges of her diagnosis, but the financial strain has been equally daunting. Her extensive hospital stays and treatments have led to mounting medical bills. Yet, in this dark time, the kindness and support from her community have shone brightly. Through the generosity of many, over R59 000 has been raised through Chané’s BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign, easing some of her financial burdens.
What has truly left Chané in awe is a new community effort that speaks volumes about the power of unity and compassion. “Some wonderful members of the community have come together to arrange a fundraiser drive for me in the form of an event called The Breath of Hope Fest which will be taking place on the 24th of August 2024 at the KHOSA Sports Club in Krugersdorp. We will have live musos, a market, kiddies entertainment and fun for the whole family!” Chané told Good Things Guy.
The Breath of Hope Fest promises a joyous occasion for all ages, filled with music, laughter, and community spirit. This meaningful event supports cancer treatment funding, with every ticket sold directly contributing to Chané’s medical expenses. By attending, you transform a day of fun into a powerful force for good.
Chané continues to share updates about her cancer battle on her Facebook page, where supporters can follow along, offer words of encouragement, and stay informed about her journey.
SOURCE & IMAGE CREDITS: Good Things Guy
by Sanusha Shamdutt | Jul 30, 2024 | Campaign, Featured
When a plea for help is made, people respond with kindness and generosity, ensuring no one is left alone. This sense of community has never been more apparent than in the touching story of baby Hayden.
Hayden was born prematurely at 32 weeks, and his arrival was accompanied by numerous difficulties.
His mother, Jess, went into early labour, and despite the hospital’s best efforts to postpone his birth and administer steroids to help his lungs develop, Hayden had to be delivered via emergency C-section at midnight on Sunday 21 July. Although born early, Hayden received immediate and hopeful care at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Wilgeheuwel Hospital, Roodepoort.
Although Hayden was born healthy, his premature birth required specialised care, presenting an enormous challenge for his parents, Jess and Dylan.
Their health insurance only covered R75,000, which was barely enough for a two-night stay in the NICU. The hospital, unfortunately, could not accept a payment plan and required the funds upfront. Transferring Hayden to a government hospital was risky and uncertain, as no local facilities had the necessary space or equipment.
While Jess dealt with her own health issues, including two blood transfusions and medication to prevent blood clots, the urgency to secure the best care for Hayden intensified. The family’s immediate goal was to keep Hayden in Wilgeheuwel for at least two weeks, hoping to find a longer-term solution by then. The cost? A staggering R570,000.
This is where the community’s magic came into play. South Africans from all walks of life came together for the cause. In just five days, they raised over R200 000 of the R570 000 goal through the family’s BackaBuddy campaign.
This outpouring of generosity beautifully illustrates the “it takes a village” concept. Every donation, prayer, and share of Hayden’s story has been a lifeline, bringing his family closer to their goal and giving Hayden the best chance at a healthy future.
Jess and Dylan are deeply thankful for the support they have received so far. “Each contribution, no matter the size, is a step towards ensuring Hayden’s health and future. We are so thankful to each and every person who has donated, said a prayer, or shared his story. We remain hopeful and encouraged by the kindness shown by so many” the couple told Good Things Guy.
SOURCE: Good Things Guy
by Zane Groenewald | Jul 19, 2024 | Campaign, Featured
In a groundbreaking initiative to amplify LGBTQI+ voices, the captivating podcast ‘Straight to the Point’ features the dynamic trio of Emogan Moore (35), Maxine Wild (30), and Chenal LeCap (23).
Broadcasting every Monday at 6:30 PM on the GoBinge YouTube channel, the show offers a 30 to 40-minute weekly dive into the vibrant and often underrepresented world of LGBTQI+ culture. With over 11,000 followers on YouTube, the podcast is rapidly gaining a dedicated audience.
Pictured above: (Left to Right): Chenal LeCap Middle: Maxine Wild Right: Emogan Moore
A Bold Beginning
Launched on April 1, 2024, ‘Straight to the Point’ ventures into uncharted territories of discussion, ranging from topics safe sex practices, therapy, relationships, and coming out, to lighter fare such as social media trends, fashion, and gossip. This broad spectrum allows the podcast to touch on various aspects of daily life and culture from a uniquely queer perspective, making it a vital resource for both the community and its allies.
Pictured above: (Left to Right): Top left: Carl Martin, Top Middle: Louis Du Toit Top Right: Nazeem Southgate. Bottom Left: Chenal LeCap, Bottom Middle Maxine Wild, Bottom Right Emogan Moore.
Louis Du Toit, the Director of the podcast and lead content creator at GoBinge, recalls the origins: “We all met on another exciting project, and after a great spark, The Drag Cartel reached out to GoBinge. The idea to do a podcast from a queer perspective really ignited a fire in all of us. It was crucial to create a conversation from this unique viewpoint, particularly one that isn’t widely represented in South African media.”
Inspirational Hosts with Compelling Stories
Maxine Wild, a former Miss Gay Western Cape and a respected leader in the Cape Town drag scene, emphasizes the podcast’s role in giving a voice to the marginalized. “It’s about creating a space where voices that are often silenced can speak loudly and proudly,” she explains.
Her experiences as a proud transgender woman and a pageant queen enrich the podcast’s narratives, bringing authenticity and depth to the discussions. At 30 years old, Maxine continues to inspire as she mentors younger artists.
Pictured above: Maxine Wild
Emogan Moore, 35, known for her humor and insightful perspectives, comments on the podcast’s format: “Our discussions are a mix of structured and spontaneous, allowing us to respond to the community’s pulse while fostering educational and engaging dialogues.” Emogan’s journey alongside Maxine in the drag and pageant scene brings a wealth of experience and guidance to the podcast.
Pictured above: Emogan Moore
Chenal LeCap, the youngest at 23, hails from Leonsdale, Elsie’s River, Cape Town. Known for her full-of-life attitude and colorful personality, Chenal has dominated the ballroom scene in Cape Town and has been a pioneering force in all three sectors of drag pageantry and ballroom.
Pictured above: Chenal LeCap
Cultural Impact and Community Engagement
The podcast’s reach extends beyond mere entertainment. Nazeem Southgate, Founder and Managing Director of The Drag Cartel, describes it as a “riveting series that delves into relationships, scandals, and hot topics.” The hosts leverage their personal experiences and public interactions to spark insightful discussions, providing a platform that educates and inspires.
Du Toit highlights the community importance: “There isn’t a lot of content, especially from this community in Cape Town, that talks from this perspective. Our podcast isn’t just for the queer community; it is from the queer community, introducing this perspective to the world and fostering inclusivity.”
A Plea for Support
The trio has initiated a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to sustain and grow the podcast. With over R780 raised towards their R100,000 goal, the funds are crucial for covering production expenses and ensuring the continuation of this impactful dialogue. “GoBinge has been funding the podcast entirely, but we need the support to continue and expand,” Du Toit explains. “We believe this platform and conversation are vital not just for the queer community but for all.”
Vision for the Future
The hosts share a collective vision of expanding their reach and continuing to serve as a beacon for the LGBTQI+ community. “We see the podcast not only as a platform for discussion but as a pivotal space for cultural exchange and understanding that resonates globally,” Maxine articulates.
Emogan adds, “Hosting this podcast has been life-changing. Knowing that our discussions can inspire and impact lives is incredibly humbling.”
As ‘Straight to the Point’ continues to challenge societal norms and celebrate queer culture, it stands as a testament to the power of community and communication. By tuning in and supporting their BackaBuddy campaign, listeners can ensure that these vital conversations continue to enlighten, educate, and inspire.
Personal Impact and Community Interaction
The podcast has had a profound personal impact on its hosts and listeners. Emogan shares a touching story: “A listener reached out, sharing how an episode on mental health inspired them to seek help. Knowing our podcast could have such a profound impact is incredibly motivating.”
Chenal recalls, “A listener told us our episode on self-acceptance helped them come out to their family. This kind of impact is why we do what we do.”
Maxine emphasizes the community’s strength: “We’ve faced technical challenges, but our audience values the content over perfection. Their support and feedback keep us going.”
Challenges and Triumphs
The journey has not been without challenges. Maxine recounts a significant technical difficulty: “We had severe audio issues in one episode, but the content was so valuable that listeners didn’t mind the quality. That was a breakthrough moment for us.”
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, the hosts have ambitious goals. Emogan hopes the podcast will evolve into a prominent platform within the LGBTQI+ community, focusing on advocacy and dialogue. Chenal envisions it as a comprehensive community hub offering resources and support, while Maxine aims for global reach and influence, ensuring representation and support for diverse backgrounds.
By supporting ‘Straight to the Point,’ listeners can help sustain this vibrant platform and ensure that these critical conversations continue to flourish.
by Sanusha Shamdutt | Jul 18, 2024 | Campaign, Featured
Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine SA (HCW4PSA) has teamed up with Gift of the Givers (GoTG) to present a comedy night in support of their Ubuntu Bucket Drive campaign today on Mandela Day.
This comedy show, starring Riaad Moosa and Zayn Sibda (Prof Zee), will take place today, July 18 from 7pm to 9.30pm at the Venue on Par in Wynberg, officially launching the campaign.
Dr. Samah El Boraei, HCW4PSA Western Cape Events Head, shared that the Ubuntu Bucket Drive aims to provide monthly care packages to local hospitals in South Africa. These packages are meant for malnourished patients who are discharged from the hospital and often have very few supplies at home after a long hospital stay.
“We are inspired by the sumud (steadfastness) of the Palestinian people during this genocide and recall our own ubuntu spirit under the brutal apartheid regime. We also remember Madiba this Mandela Day, who taught us that tackling poverty is not a gesture of charity, it is an act of justice and as South Africans we will never truly be free while there is so much poverty and inequality in our communities.” El Boraei told IOL
The Ubuntu Buckets will contain nutritious non-perishable foods and toiletries, enough to support a family of four for a month. Nazreena Hassim, another Western Cape Events Head, mentioned that the goal is for this initiative to become an ongoing long-term project with GoTG. Hassim added that distribution is set to start in August, beginning with regional hospitals in the Western Cape.
GoTG will oversee the packaging and delivery of the Ubuntu Buckets to the specified hospitals.
In February, these organisations collaborated on a campaign in remembrance of over 13,000 Palestinian children killed in Gaza at that time by the Israel Defense Forces. This campaign raised over R1.7 million and allowed the purchase of 13,000 pairs of school shoes, which were distributed to children in need throughout South Africa.
Tickets for the comedy night can be purchased for R260 on Quicket (Mandela Day Comedy Evening). Contributions to the Ubuntu Bucket Drive can be made through their BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign where they have already raised over R9300 with the help of 7 incredible donors.
While the Ubuntu buckets are valued at R550, donations of any amount are welcome through BackaBuddy.
SOURCE: IOL
by Sanusha Shamdutt | Jul 15, 2024 | Campaign, Featured
On May 9th, 2024, the lives of the Lubbe family from Gonubie, East London, changed forever with the arrival of their beautiful baby girl Lorelai Mathilda (meaning warrior). They eagerly anticipated meeting their healthy baby girl, but little did they know that her first breath would soon be supported by the hum of medical machines. As new parents, they couldn’t yet grasp the challenging road that lay ahead with their warrior daughter.
Pictured above: 2-month-old Lorelai Mathilda Lubbe (Warrior)
Lorelai has Pulmonary Atresia, a rare heart defect that affects 1 in 10,000 babies. This condition occurs when the pulmonary valve doesn’t develop, preventing blood from flowing from the heart to the lungs to get oxygen. Additionally, Lorelai has a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), meaning there’s a hole in the wall between her heart’s lower chambers. The prognosis for babies with Pulmonary Atresia is daunting, with an 80% mortality rate by their first birthday. The diagnosis was never picked up in utero, so when Lorelai was born via emergency C-section, it was only then that the doctors and her parents, mum Dominique Lubbe (21) and dad Morne Lubbe (27) found out.
“We were absolutely shattered, it was so unexpected. It felt like everything was going wrong. The day before we were so excited to meet our first baby after a long pregnancy. Then I had an emergency c-section from a failed induction and then the doctors came in and told us they had bad news. We went cold all over. I couldn’t breathe. The days that followed were so difficult, not going home with your baby, questioning if it is your fault and the doctors saying there is nothing I could have done as a mom to prevent this, that it is just a bad draw of cards. It just gets harder and harder visiting and seeing our baby in hospital, her not knowing the beautiful room we’ve made for her at home. Her bull terrier sister is waiting at home. Our family wanted to meet her. We’d do anything to have her home with us.” says an emotional Dominique
Pictured above: Lorelai with her mum, Dominique Lubbe
Lorelai’s congenital heart defect is terminal if not addressed, as her underdeveloped pulmonary arteries prevent normal breathing and result in very low oxygen levels in her blood. Lorelai and Dominique were airlifted from East London to Sunninghill Hospital in Rivonia Sandton, Johannesburg, where the Maboneng Heart and Lung Institute specialises in complex open-heart surgeries for babies. The institute also has the advanced CT Echo scan resources necessary for detailed diagnosis.
Lorelai requires a complex open-heart surgery for a full heart repair, and she will need multiple surgeries throughout her life to replace the conduits (artificial arteries) as she grows. Her family urgently travelled to Johannesburg, carrying many prayers in their hearts, for the expertise at Sunninghill Hospital. Despite their efforts to prepare for a healthy baby, Lorelai’s parents now face overwhelming medical expenses as Sunninghill Hospital is out of their medical aid network, making the additional costs and co-payments beyond their means.
“Lorelai is currently fighting an infection from her central line (IV). They have to give her medication though that line to keep her patent ductus open artificially. But the medication has severe side effects including bone pain, and the other lasix medication causes hearing loss so she faces many challenges everyday. But the sooner she can get her operation the sooner they can get her off the lasix and prostin medication. She is just fighting an infection again.” explains Dominique
Lorelai being the warrior that she is has already fought so hard to be here every day. She deserves the chance to live a full and healthy life. Currently, she rests in her little glass box at Sunninghill hospital, awaiting her surgery.
Pictured above: Little Lorelai at the Sunninghill Hospital
“Lorelai is defying all odds everyday. They said she would never pick up weight and yet she has, on a daily basis she fights to be with us. Her middle name Mathilda means mighty in battle. She is in a mighty battle with her imperfection and we can’t fight the fight for her but we are doing everything we can to fight with her everyday by being at the hospital everyday, sitting with her from morning until night. Reading to her, talking to her, praying for her. She is a miracle child.” Dominique tells us
To alleviate the financial burden which bears down on them the family has started a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign where they have already raised over R24 000 of their R1 000 000 goal with the help of 39 amazing donors. The family humbly asks and prays for any donations that can contribute to Lorelai’s life-saving surgery.
“We don’t know what we would do without the help of BackaBuddy. They provided us with a platform for Lorelai’s funding and we are really thankful. We have medical aid but we face extreme out of pocket fees because this hospital is not a network hospital. With this extra help we can afford to pay the doctors, staff, and for tests which are saving Lorelai’s life. Not just that, it also helps us to be with her everyday. Every cent helps in the huge ocean of money required to keep her stable so that she can come home after her operation.” says Morne.
Pictured above: Lorelai with her dad, Morne Lubbe
“We are so grateful that our donors have added a new stitch to Lorelai’s heart. Every cent gets her the help she needs. As parents and as a family it breaks our heart that we can’t provide her with the finances to afford her operation, so we as parents and as a family are eternally grateful for her heart warrior donors that are helping us with finances that we as parents can’t do on our own. We thank our donors that are angels in disguise and heart warriors fighting with Lorelai . We see every donation and any bit of assistance is a gift from our mighty God above.” Morne tells us
For updates about Lorelai’s journey, please visit the family’s Instagram page @the_lubbes.
by Sanusha Shamdutt | Jul 3, 2024 | Campaign, Featured
In a heartwarming turn of events, Carol de Swardt, a 62-year-old mother of five from George, has found renewed hope in her battle against kidney failure. After years of suffering, her eldest son, Cyril, has stepped forward with an extraordinary act of love and sacrifice.
Carol’s struggle began in 2020 when she first started showing symptoms of kidney failure. Her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to severe swelling, constant fatigue, and relentless dehydration. By 2022, Carol’s health had declined to the point where she required dialysis—a gruelling four-hour procedure three times a week that left her feeling terrible afterwards. “I am constantly nauseous and vomit all the time. My back aches because of my diseased kidneys and I am always tired,” Carol told the George Herald. The illness runs in her family; her mother succumbed to kidney failure, and one of her grandsons has also recently started dialysis.
In May of this year, Carol’s doctor referred her to Dr. Trevor Gerntholtz, a nephrologist from Cape Town, who confirmed that she was a good candidate for a kidney transplant. The news brought a glimmer of hope to Carol’s life. However, the biggest surprise came from her eldest son, Cyril, who had been quietly preparing for this moment for over a year.
Pictured above: Carol and her son Cyril who will also be her donor
“I had such a wonderful surprise when my eldest son, Cyril (46), came to me earlier this year to say that he has been following a healthy lifestyle for a year now because he wanted to be healthy enough to donate a kidney to me. He had stopped smoking and drinking, but kept quiet about it for the entire year,” Carol recalled.
In addition to Cyril, Carol’s youngest son, Ferrier, also underwent tests to see if he could be a potential donor. Miraculously, he too was found to be a match. “This means that if the operation is not successful, I have yet another chance, so I am immensely grateful,” Carol said.
Cyril’s motivation for this selfless act stems from his deep love and appreciation for his mother. “It is my turn to give back. She sacrificed her own needs for our family’s well-being. I am her firstborn and it is the best way to show my love for her. I want to be there for her, to hold her hand, and to help her through this challenging time. I just want them to ‘plug and play’ now—take out my kidney and get it into her. We are ready to go. The longer we wait, the longer she has to suffer,” he expressed.
Pictured above: Carol and her daughter Samantha Shrives
Dr. Gerntholtz explained the high probability of children being a match for their parents due to shared genetic material. However, the process is not without risks. The receiver needs to be on strong anti-rejection medication post-operation, which can cause heart disease. For the donor, any surgery carries risks, but thorough evaluations ensure it is safe to proceed.
Complete recovery for both donor and receiver typically takes about three months. In the meantime, Cyril has started a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign, “A selfless act of love: helping a son save his mother’s life” to raise funds for the necessary accommodations and travel expenses. Living in Pietermaritzburg, Cyril and his wife must fly to Cape Town for the operation at Groote Schuur Hospital, a cost they cannot afford on their own.
Carol’s story is a testament to the enduring power of family and love. Despite her immense pain and suffering, the support of her sons and the generosity of others have given her a renewed sense of hope. As she waits for the transplant date, Carol remains grateful for the opportunity to regain her health and spend more precious moments with her family.
SOURCE & IMAGE CREDITS: GEORGE HERALD
