Pictured above: SAWFB volunteers, Lizet Coelho and Charlie Bezuidenhout-Hollingsworth
In response to the tragic murder of 29-year-old, Meghan Cremer, the vibrant show-jumper and bakery manager from Cape Town, who was assaulted and murdered in Cape Town in August 2019, Bronwyn Litkie launched Facebook groupSA Women Fight Back.
The group, which was founded on 8 August 2019, the day before Women’s Day, began as a safe place for women to share their stories of abuse, seek help and confide in each other, soon grew to nearly a quarter of a million members, putting gender-based violence in the spotlight.
With the help of remarkable volunteers, the group formalised and established an NPC, to give a voice to the slain, forgotten and silenced women in our society.
“Through the stories that we read we came to realise just how many womxn have remained silent and suffered for sometimes decades at the hands of their abuser. Most women had never shared their stories. Gender-Based Violence has been silenced for too long, and we need to lift this veil and let womxn know that they are not alone and that there is always help for them” says group founder, Bronwyn.
Founder of SAWFB, Bronwyn Litkie.
Over 40 000 GBV cases are reported each year in SA
Turning words into action, SA Women Fight Back, collaborates with sister organisations to offer gender-based violence survivors counselling and healing courses after they have experienced trauma, among other helpful initiatives.
This women’s month, the organisation hopes to expand their care pack drive, through a crowdfunding campaign launched on BackaBuddy, to help restore dignity to the brave women who come forward to report a sexual assault.
These packs, which cost approximately R100 to put together, including transportation costs, contain underwear, sanitary pads, a pamphlet on where to find help, and other much-needed items to help survivors on their road to rehabilitation.
Putting up a fight. Lizet Coelho and Charlie Bezuidenhout-Hollingsworth from SAWFB with rape activist, Leilani Kuter (Yellow For Survivors).
“We currently have relationships with 16 police stations across SA but would like this program to reach all stations with high Gender-Based violence statistics. There are over 40 000 gender-based violence cases reported each year and we would like to be able to supply care packs to every victim.” – says Bronwyn.
With generous support from the public, the organisation has thus far been able to accumulate 250 care packs, which will serve as a life-line to those who need them.
To donate a care package, visit SAWFB’s crowdfunding campaign:
SA Women Fight Back is a community of united women who network to bring about legislative change and support for all women and children in South Africa.
Through non-violent, collaborative engagement, the organisation lobbies to combat gender-based violence and hold government and other authorities accountable for the safety, empowerment, equality, and justice for all.
If you or a loved one has fallen victim to gender-based violence. We encourage you to contact SAWFB to get help.
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 R260 Million.
Lara Van Lelyveld (37) originally from Howick, Pietermaritzburg, had just landed her dream job as Head of English at Curro, Century City, when the breathing problems she had been experiencing became very serious.
What started as shortness of breath, turned out to be something far worse.
In November 2020, Lara was diagnosed with Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis, a rare, life-threatening illness that causes the narrowing of a patient’s trachea, as well as inflammation and the development of tissue in the throat area.
Lara, who friends and loved ones describe as ‘bubbly and colourful’, had now gone from living an adventurous life, to losing a big part of herself; her voice and her cheerful laugh.
Since her diagnosis, Lara has been in and out of hospital countless times, to stop her throat from closing. As the cause of her condition is unknown, doctors are doing all they can to give Lara her life back.
Lara’s medical journey
In November 2021, Lara received an endoscopic dilation of the tracheal stenosis, which showed promise, but unfortunately the results were short lived and the scar tissue grew back even more aggressively months later.
In April 2021, Lara was surgically fitted with a stent, which unfortunately failed as the scar tissue began to engulf it.
Lara communicates using pen and paper due to no air around her vocal cords making it hard for her to talk.
In May 2021, Lara had a tracheostomy inserted to help her breathing, as doctors continue to investigate the best course of treatment for Lara.
Currently, under the expert care of Professor Lubbe, Lara’s trachea continues to close. At it’s most narrow, her trachea was a scant 1mm wide, while a healthy trachea should be between 1,5 cm to 2 cm wide. At this stage, it takes about 4 weeks for the trachea to narrow to a diameter of 3mm.
With every procedure Lara has had, the scar tissue grows back quicker and quicker, causing Lara severe discomfort and stress.
‘My dreams are indefinitely on hold’
After a 4-hour-long operation, Lara was fitted with a T-shaped trach tube on 2 August 2021, which unfortunately didn’t work as she was unable to breathe. She has now been given several steroid injections in her throat tissue to see if this will stop her tissue from growing. She will then receive an iron infusion as she has become anaemic.
Apart from the physical pain of her procedures, and the emotional toll it has had on her, Lara has also given up a lot of life’s simple pleasures.
While she has her tracheostomy, she will not be able to swim again in fear of drowning. The chances of her returning to the classroom, the job she loves, are also very slim.
“Truth be told, I’m terrified. I can’t plan my future and so many of my dreams are indefinitely on hold. This disease has brought me to my knees. Each day is a struggle.” – says Lara
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
In addition to the above, Lara is also facing a tremendous financial burden, as her medical aid only covers her hospital stays, but not her specialised procedures or medications.
Lara with a trach tube that has to be replaced after every 6 months costing R9900.
To assist Lara with her medical bills, her loved ones have launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, that has thus far raised over R 31 000 towards their fundraising target of R50 000, to support lovely Lara on her road to recovery.
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 R260 Million.
On 20 June 2021, Nicolaas Serfontein (36), an admired swimming teacher from Melkbosstrand Cape Town, was rushed to the emergency room at Blaauwberg Netcare Hospital, after his wife, Tina, struggled to wake him up.
Doctors soon realised after conducting two Lumbar Punctures, and several tests, including multiple CT and MRI scans, that Nicky had contracted a rare form of meningitis and was also experiencing kidney failure.
Pictured above: Nicolaas Serfontein
To save Nicky’s life, he was put on a ventilator, placed in an induced coma for 4 days, and given a number of medications and drips.
A Long road to recovery
While Nicky has moved into a medical ward, after 20 days in ICU, doctors predict that his road to rehabilitation will be a long one due to the severe medical trauma he has endured.
Nicky will soon need to begin occupational therapy as well as physiotherapy to make a full recovery and continue living life to the fullest.
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
To assist Nicky with his medical costs as well as his living costs for the next couple of months, a member of his family, Zaren Knight (33), has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to appeal to the public for support in raising R100 000 to help Nicky get back on his feet after this traumatic and unexpected ordeal.
“Everyone knows Nicky as the kindest person with the biggest heart. He has a spirit of love and always puts others first. I always say that I’m a black-and-white person (yes and no), and Nicky is all the beautiful colours in between. He is the love of my life, and he is loved by so many. He is always ready to help someone else, but right now he needs our help. Please stand with us in prayer as now, Nicky needs our help” says Nicolaas’ wife, Tina.
Pictured above: Nicky with his wife, Tina.
Since the launch of the campaign, over R14 000 has been raised from kind contributions from 22 donors who have left warm messages of encouragement for Nicky in his time of need.
‘Running with a smile’, Zaren, who is admittedly not a trained runner, ran over 20km, around the entire Swakopmund in Namibia on the 10th July 2021, to raise funds for Nicky’s campaign, pledging to donate R100 herself, for every kilometer she completed.
Make a donation to support Nicolaas by donating here:
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 R260 Million.
To help support medics during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Masks for Medics, a non-profit initiative based in Cape Town, South Africa, has re-launched its crowdfunding campaign to supply non-hospital-based front-line healthcare workers with medical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE).
Pictured above: “We still need to be caring for the carer by providing much need PPE especially during this third wave,” Dr Julie Etellin, one of the founding doctors of Masks For Medics
Masks for Medics was launched by a group of caring family doctors in May 2020, with the profound understanding that in order for individuals, families and communities to be kept safe during the pandemic, it is imperative that our courageous healthcare workers on the front line have the necessary resources to keep themselves safe.
Picture above: Keeping the nurses at Badisa safe.
Generous public support
Over the last 11 months, with tremendous support from generous donors both locally and internationally, as well as over R605 000 raised through their crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, Masks for Medics has supported frontline workers by:
Distributing PPE to 212 individuals and 386 institutions including 29 102 gowns, 345 080 aprons, 251 535 surgical masks, 29 248 respirator masks, 10 484 visors, 11 286 gloves, 18 792 sanitiser bottles, 401 pulse oximetry monitors and 478 thermometers – all medical grade.
They have also provided 261 sanitiser foot pedals and 328 Perspex screen dividers to allow elderly care facilities to continue allowing visitors and to keep administrative staff safe.
Picture: Cooks and staff at over 550 feeding scheme locations in the Western Cape now have PPE!
Protecting carers in the third wave
With the increase of COVID-19 cases in this third wave with a new variant, Masks for Medics, aims to broaden their beneficiary base within the Western Cape province to include homeless shelters and more feeding schemes with a continued focus on Elderly Care Facilities and individual Healthcare Workers, ensuring that those who are frontline carers receive medically certified PPE. This will not only keep them safe but also the children, the elderly and the sick in our communities.
Pictured above: Masks for Medics Directors – Dr Lauren Lee, Dr Sonia Hough, Dr Julie Etellin
“We call on those who can, to please donate generously and assist us in fulfilling our mandate of keeping our Frontline Workers safe! Please support our BackaBuddy campaign and help grow our emergency relief fund. This will directly impact us all and help Masks for Medics in caring for the carers,” says Dr Julie Etellin, one of the founding doctors of Masks for Medics.
All donors to this campaign are eligible to receive a Section 18a Tax Certificate upon request.
Picture above:Thank you Masks For Medics!
About Masks for Medics
Drs Lauren Lee, Sonia Hough and Julie Etellin are 3 family doctors who banded together during a unique time in history. After witnessing the chaos the pandemic had on the entire world, Masks for Medics needed to act swiftly and be prepared to keep our healthcare workers safe. The prediction filtering in from Europe was for overwhelming numbers of sick people and they knew we needed to urgently collaborate on ideas to protect our frontline so they can better serve patients within their communities. Thus, the emergency campaign called Masks for Medics was launched. The initiative strives to procure and provide the necessary PPE to all our heroes on the frontline. The medical grade PPE we procure includes gowns, aprons, surgical masks, respirator masks, visors, gloves, sanitiser, pulse oximetry monitors and thermometers.
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 R260 Million.
On the 8th of July 2021, Henry Cock (34), a business owner from Sandton, Johannesburg, will attempt to smash the Guinness World Record for most consecutive half marathons in a row, to uplift South Africans struggling with mental health, particularly during the lockdown.
Henry, who is admittedly not a professional athlete, is training to take on 133 consecutive half marathons over 133 days, covering a distance of 2800km from Kosi Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, to Vioolsdrift, Namibia, to break the current record for men, which stands at 75.
Shattering Mental Health Stigma
Having battled depression and anxiety in recent years, due to the dissolution of his long term relationship, the strain that the ongoing pandemic has had on his businesses, as well as the daily personal struggles we can all relate to, Henry wants to dismantle mental health stigma with his mammoth challenge and be a beacon of hope to those who suffer in silence.
Henry Cock
“I only became aware of my mental health issues in 2019. The more I started to delve into my personal experiences, the more I began to understand how important mental health is, and the more I learned that it is still a very stigmatised and taboo subject. It took me months of therapy to work up the courage and put myself on medicine, and admit to the people I cared about the most that I suffered from anxiety. It takes great courage to speak out and recognize that you suffer from a mental disorder. The more we can open the conversation surrounding mental health, the greater the understanding and empathy will be with those that suffer.” – says Henry.
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
With a crowdfunding campaign launched on BackaBuddy, Henry has also set himself an ambitious goal of raising over R6 million to support The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), an organisation on the forefront of patient advocacy, education, and de-stigmatisation of mental illness in South Africa.
According to SADAG, one person commits suicide every hour in South Africa.
Henry Cock and with friend and supporter, Jake Franklin.
Since the launch of his ‘Mentally Aweh’ campaign, Henry has thus raised over R250 000, with contributions from 77 donors both locally and internationally which will be used to help those without the means to prioritise their mental health and access treatment.
‘It’s time for togetherness, not individualism.’
With the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a ‘new wave of mental health concern’ says Henry, as people have struggled with isolation, fatigue, illness, and the death of loved ones on a larger scale than we are accustomed to.
“My hope is that as many South Africans as possible can have access to the help they need, and that is why I have set up my BackaBuddy campaign. I want people to know that it is okay to tell people you’re struggling with your mental health. It doesn’t mean your life is over, or that you’re different or weird – and it’s OK to take medication for it. These things all help, they’re not there to be stigmatized or laughed at or looked down upon as a weakness. The misconception that this problem has no solution is simply not true” – says Henry
Support Henry’s campaign on BackaBuddy by donating here:
When Mornay Le Roux (49), a doting dad from Hilton, Kwa-zulu Natal was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August 2019, it shocked his family and three daughters aged 5, 19 and 26.
Rocked by the news but determined to put up a fight, Mornay, spent his life-savings to cover his medical expenses as he had to undergo a liver operation, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and cover the cost of his surplus hospital and surgeon bills.
Mornay and his daughters
After a year-long battle with this dread disease, doctors pronounced that Mornay was finally in remission.
This was a great feat for the Le Roux family, but their celebration was short-lived.
In October 2020, just two months after receiving the ‘all-clear’, tests revealed that Mornay’s cancer was back with a vengeance and had spread to his lymph nodes, liver, and had begun attacking his immune system. Mornay Le Roux
In November 2020, Mornay had to undergo another liver operation to remove a sizable tumour.
Whilst in hospital, he faced another setback when he picked up a superbug and had to be re-hospitalised for 7 weeks. Furthermore, Mornay had a fifth of his lung removed due to the abscess the superbug caused.
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
To continue his aggressive chemotherapy, which makes him incredibly ill, Mornay cannot return full time to his work as a labour consultant.
To alleviate the financial stress Mornay is facing, the Le Roux family has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to appeal to the public for support as Mornay fights for his health.
With the support of generous donors, over R 162 987.90has been raised towards their fundraising target of R400 000 with contributions from 131 donors from Hilton, Pietermaritzburg and around the globe.
“Mornay is humble, kind, and was reluctant to appeal for any sort of donation, but at this point, it is all we have left. We want to alleviate the financial stresses he faces so he can focus fully on healing and his next 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy. We want and need him to be around for his family for many more years to come. “ – says Kelly Stegen who helped Mornay set up his campaign.
Support Mornay’s medical treatment by donating to his campaign here:
Founder of SAWFB, Bronwyn Litkie.
Picture above: Keeping the nurses at Badisa safe.
Picture: Cooks and staff at over 550 feeding scheme locations in the Western Cape now have PPE!
Pictured above: Masks for Medics Directors – Dr Lauren Lee, Dr Sonia Hough, Dr Julie Etellin
Picture above:Thank you Masks For Medics!
