An angel in need of wings

Often it is the people that have to be strong for others that have the hardest time seeking help for themselves.

Meet my dear friend and heart sister, Annelie Claasen.

She is a devoted nurse, mother of three beautiful children and a loving and caring wife. Although she is no longer actively practicing her patients know that she is always there for them no matter the time of day. She has patients that contact her from all over the world, often without compensation, and they all know she will give them the advice they seek.

In the past few years however Annelie’s health has deteriorated in such a manner that she has gone from an active pillar in the community and successful business owner to bedridden most days with debilitating headaches due to intracranial hypertension. This means that the pressure in the brain gets too high due to a build of spinal fluid. The cause of the excess spinal fluid is yet to be determined. As they do fail, Annelie has had several shunts installed over the past few years and has to be under constant medical supervision to ensure the efficacy of the shunt. In February 2018 she has also tested positive for tumor markers and is currently waiting further testing to determine the location and type of such tumors.

She has been in and out of hospitals and has had countless procedures and operations the past 6 years and I know the medical bills have been piling up. As Annelie is unable to actively work and contribute to these bills the family has been taking a lot of strain, financially and emotionally.

Through all this Annelie has always been there for her patients and family, even on days when she could barely lift her head due to severe headaches

My goal is to provide some financial relief for this courageous and beautiful family as they face an uncertain future with regard to Anneli’s health.