Act of thanks for life-saving kidney

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Kidney transplant recipient Dean Arnolds (25) will show his gratitude for being given a new lease on life by cycling for charity from George to Gqeberha.

Nine other cyclists will join him on the 400km ride, which starts on Tuesday 4 October and finishes on 8 October. They will depart from the Garden Route Mall at 07:00 .

The funds raised will go to the Red Cross Children's hospital in Cape Town that needs a therapeutic play area (TPA). The TPA is critical for pre- and post-operations in children.

He received his new kidney exactly eight years ago, on 29 September.

Arnold has strong ties with George. His late grandmother, Alida Pedro, lived in Conville.

He knows what people who need transplants are going through. "For most of my growing up years, I was in and out of hospitals and seen by many, many doctors," he said on Monday.

"I was bullied at school and had to leave school as I could not control my bladder. When the bullying occurred, I felt humiliated and hurt, but looking back on it now, I don't believe the children knew any better. They didn't know that my kidneys were failing and I could die.

"They didn't know the pain and the humiliation I was going through and that my condition was serious. They were just being children and yes, children bully and say mean things."

The day came that his parents were told to get the family together as, he said, "the time had come for everyone to say goodbye as I was not going to survive".

They however refused to give up and managed to get him into the Red Cross Children's hospital. This changed his life forever. "I was out on the organ transplant list and a match was found. The road to post-operation recovery was long, but my parents' dedication and love and the care I received from the Red Cross Children's Hospital pulled me through."

Today he is an avid sportsperson. He will be representing SA at the 2023 Transplant Games in Australia. He is also writing an autobiography.

Arnold said people can assist in donating towards his goal of R150 000. A donation of as little as R50 can be made via deanmalcomanrolds./quicket, or the BackaBuddy campaign (Dean Arnolds).

They can also donate at: FNB business account: Dean Malcolm Arnolds foundation.

Acc number: 63013196282