Assist Felicia with medical costs for dialysis

As some of you might know, my Mom was diagnosed with Kidney failure at the end of last year and she needed to start the journey of life saving dialysis treatment. Unfortunately our health system in South Africa excludes patients over 55 from receiving treatment via the public health system for kidney failure. We've tried all avenues to get medical care at the public hospitals and were unsuccessful. If you are fortunate enough to afford the costly lifelong private medical treatment you have the ability to stay alive. Unfortunately the stark reality for many is that that financially, private treatment isn't an option so they are just sent home to die. As shocking and inhumane as that sounds, its the reality of the situation and this is the reality we found our family is at the end of 2019.

The cost of dialysis is approximately R17,000 per month, which roughly is split up in 3 sessions of dialysis per week for each and every week. Once you start the treatment you have to continue. That's how you stay alive. There are other additional treatments that can be included in addition to dialysis for eg. Blood transfusions and iron injections, which costs thousands of rands per treatment and this helps patients to improve their quality of live and helps provide the energy to be able to get up every day and live a relatively normal life. This excludes your monthly Dr fees and blood tests. The ultimate goal is a kidney transplant, which again will have to be privately funded because as earlier mentioned, over 55 years old = zero assistance from public healthcare.

When our journey started end December 2019 we got my Mom added to our medical aid but due to her having being diagnosed already prior to joining she was placed on a 1 year waiting period before being able to have any treatments (including) dialysis paid for by the medical. Her medical aid membership started December 2019 so we have to wait ( and pay monthly medical aid premiums) until Decemeber 2020 before they will start paying for her treatment. So for 2020 her treatment costs would be roughly R240, 000.

To put it very simply, we need help to pay for this very expensive treatment until the medical aid kicks in. We need to fund the R17,000 needed monthly for the dialysis. Treatment that is keeping her alive. Our goal is to work towards a kidney transplant next year once she's covered by medical aid and her health stabilizes.

Any contribution big or small will help us pay for her ongoing dialysis treatment. Thank you and God Bless all who are able to help and to those who not able to help, your thoughts and prayers will be appreciated just as much.

Much Love,

Janine,Tersia, Chadwill and Denver