GEORGE NEWS - A single mother from George, Angelique du Plooy, was blown away by a huge donation from a complete stranger - money that can mean the difference between life and death for her son, Jaun.
Jaun was recently diagnosed with an arachnoid cyst* on his brain which needs priority medical attention.
The Good Samaritan, who wishes to remain anonymous, donated R30 000 towards the boy's medical fees on a BackaBuddy page opened by his mother earlier this month.
"I am still in shock. It is mind-blowing. I thought she might have entered a couple of zeros by mistake," said an absolutely stunned Du Plooy on Monday afternoon.
Du Plooy's 11-year-old son Jaun Nel, is one of a twin. A couple of years ago he was diagnosed not only with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but also with dyslexia and slight autism. He has since been enrolled in Carpe Diem School as he has learning and reading difficulties and has been on medication ever since his diagnosis.
"He loves his school, but he has been struggling lately," said Du Plooy.
During the last two years, Jaun has been suffering from severe migraines and nosebleeds daily, especially in the evening. "And it is not like a normal nosebleed. Sometimes it is so severe that he chokes on his own blood," his mother told George Herald.
"I took him to see a pediatric doctor in February this year and she immediately admitted him to hospital for further tests."
An MRI scan confirmed the cyst on his brain.
"We saw the doctor again on 3 October and she noticed his speech was slurred. He is also extremely agitated, he has a rotten smell coming from his mouth with no obvious cause, he forgets things very quickly and he suffers from severe migraines. He can not stand any loud noises and has lost his appetite."
Two other doctors were consulted and both agreed that Jaun needed to see a pediatric neurologist urgently.
"The closest one to us is in Constantia in Cape Town. After the consultation he will be sent to Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital for further tests," said Du Plooy.
Jaun during one of his hospital visits.
Although the youngster is on his father's medical aid, his mother is unemployed and she does not own a car. Medical aids mostly do not cover everything and there are always extras to be paid.
"As they have a crucial appointment on 2 November, Du Plooy decided to try her luck and created a BackaBuddy page for her son in an effort to raise money for transport to the hospital, accommodation, food and the neurologist's appointment in Cape Town.
"On Monday morning 24 October my heart sank. Although extremely grateful for all the donations we had received, we were still very far from what we needed," said Du Plooy.
But never in her wildest dreams could she have guessed what was about to happen. Later that afternoon when she went to check on the BackaBuddy page, she had to look twice to make absolutely sure her eyes were not deceiving her. Someone had paid R30 000 into the BackaBuddy account.
The BackaBuddy campaign ends on 2 November and Du Plooy intends to give any excess money to someone else who needs it after Jaun receives the treatment he needs.
"We do not know what lies ahead and what costs might be incurred, but we are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated so far. I will gladly give any excess money to someone else who needs it. I would however like to meet the Samaritan who made the life changing donation, to thank her in person," she said.
George Herald managed to find the Samaritan who simply said: "I think one should help where you can and when it comes to being a single mother, I understand all too well. I was one too."
To donate to Jaun's cause, please visit www.backabuddy.co.za/jaun-nel
Arachnoid cysts are the most common type of brain cyst. They are often congenital, or present at birth. Head injury or trauma can also result in a secondary arachnoid cyst. The cysts are fluid-filled sacs, not tumours. Untreated, arachnoid cysts may cause permanent severe neurological damage when progressive expansion of the cyst(s) or bleeding into the cyst injure the brain or spinal cord. Symptoms usually resolve or improve with treatment.
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