Cycling in support of teen with rare neurological disease

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Being an avid cyclist and a cancer survivor, it made sense to local businessman Theo la Grange to tackle a cycling fundraiser for young Dejané de Bruin (14).

Dejané suffers from an extremely rare neurological condition called Transverse Myelitis (TM). TM happens when the spinal cord becomes inflamed.

This inflammation can damage myelin, the insulating material that covers your nerves.

Loss of myelin often leads to spinal cord scarring that blocks nerve impulses and results in physical problems. Dejané lost movement in her legs in 2022.

Theo is planning to pedal 375km from George to Worcester to raise funds in aid of Dejané and the aftercare she would need following her medical treatment in Mbombela later this month.

He invites the community to support this noble cause by pledging a donation per kilometre or making a one-time contribution.

"Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in Dejané's journey to recovery," he says.

His journey from George will start at Cornerstone in Blanco on Saturday 15 June at 08:00.

The funds raised will go directly towards essential physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and the necessary equipment to facilitate her daily living and ongoing recovery.

"Together, we can help Dejané overcome the challenges she faces and give her the best possible chance at a full recovery. Join us in supporting this brave girl from George who is battling paralysis due to TM," says Theo, who hopes to raise R36 000.

Dejané continues to fight hard after she was diagnosed on 1 November 2022, after losing control of her legs on 28 October.

Dejané will soon be undergoing stem cell treatment.

"She was playing outside, came in and complained of back pain. She lay down on the bed, came to eat dinner and took a shower, then she collapsed and couldn't walk," says her mother, Delanie.

Delanie and her husband, Jacques, immediately took their only daughter to hospital where, among other things, blood tests, a lumbar puncture and X-rays were done.

Initially, she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, but a second MRI showed that she was suffering from TM.

Since then this brave girl has undergone a myriad of treatments. The next step will be stem cell treatment.

"She is doing well under the circumstances and will start stem cell treatment in Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit) at StemCure Clinic with Dr Hein van Wyk on 13 June. She and I will then stay there for four weeks during the treatment. She will also undergo platelet-rich plasma treatment and laser treatment," said Delanie.

Theo, who has 19 Cape Town Cycle Tours under his belt, has done many cycling fundraisers before.

He says it gives him time to clear his head and is his way of giving back to the community. "I have a big passion for cycling and I am grateful for my health and ability to do what I do. I have a need to give back to the community and I would love to make a difference in Dejané's life," he says.

From George, Theo's first stop is Oudtshoorn. From there he goes to Calitzdorp, Ladysmith, Barrydale, Montagu and finally Worcester.

And come rain or shine, he will do an average of 50 to 80km per day to complete the journey.

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