GEORGE NEWS - A dedicated psychotherapist with a focus on substance abuse has received an incredible gift with much-needed medical intervention at no cost, through the Dr Ansua Foundation.
Brian Faul underwent surgery in 2021 to remove skin cancer, but the wound on his nose persisted.
He was the first patient of the foundation to undergo a procedure at one of George Hospital's theatres, with the help of the foundation's private medical team who all offer their help without compensation.
A recent collaboration agreement between George Hospital and the Dr Ansua Foundation enables this busy doctor to help even more people, since the team agreed to operate on some of the hospital's patients after they finished with their own work.
Brian Faul
Dr Ansua Steyn has vowed to help one person in need each month for the entire year of 2024. Brian Faul was selected as the beneficiary for the month of May. "He does such amazing work in the communities, working with people who struggle with drug abuse. I wanted to help him," said Steyn.
Faul volunteers as a substance abuse counsellor for the NGO Sahara at various clinics, where he assists people addicted to alcohol, smoking and drugs such as heroine and tik. He works closely with Dr Hermann Reuter who oversees the medical side.
"They are miracle workers," Faul said when asked about his recent operation. "The cancer was already spreading, it is amazing what they did. If it weren't for Dr Ansua, who knows where I would have been in six months' time? They are angels from God."
Lizé Welgemoed (nurse), Dr Marshall Murdoch (plastic surgeon), Brian Faul and Dr Ansua Steyn.
Solution
Plastic surgeon Dr Marshall Murdoch devised a comprehensive solution together with Steyn that not only eliminated the remaining cancer cells but also offered the possibility of restoring Faul's nose through reconstruction.
It was a delicate process with a piece of skin taken from his forehead and grafting it onto the wound on his nose. This method guaranteed the graft's viability and aided in the healing process. After three weeks of recuperation, Faul had a successful follow-up session with Murdoch.
The operation was made possible through a collaborative effort, including Dr Tian Koen and Mike Vonk of George Hospital, Drs Marshall Murdoch and Catherine Knight from the foundation, Sr Eureka da Paiva from Eden Medical Supplies and hearty meals from Margaret Smit of the Fat Fork.
The method used guaranteed the graft's viability and aided in the healing process.
Support
Faul is the latest of several people in the region who have new hope following medical intervention by the Dr Ansua Foundation. The first beneficiary was the nine-year-old Lelitha Jantjies from Pacaltsdorp in George, who received crucial plastic surgery on 11 September last year.
The surgery was performed to alleviate scars on Lelitha's face after the family pit bull attacked her in September last year.
Up until now, Steyn and her husband carried the hidden costs such as medicines, medical supplies, transport costs and overnight accommodation (in cases where needed), from their own pocket.
For the first time since she started this journey, Steyn spoke about their personal involvement to keep the project going. "Although the medical practitioners do offer their services for free, there are always costs involved - from the plasters to the medicine," she said.
Anyone can make a donation to help the foundation. Help from medical practitioners and therapists is also on the wish list. Visit the website at www.ansua.co.za or send an e-mail to admin@ansua.com or contact Dr Ansua Steyn on 083 388 1345.
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