Just another reason I love Johannesburg! If you’re a listener of 947’s Breakfast Xpress, you would have heart the heartbreaking story of Caylum Willemse. Caylum was diagnosed with tracheooesophageal fistula (TOF) and oesophageal atresia (OA). This means he has problems with his oesophagus (the feeding tube) and the trachea (the windpipe). He was later diagnosed with Tracheobronchomalacia, a rare condition where the tracheal (windpipe) cartilage is soft. This means he is not a candidate for a tracheotomy. The child, who was born on 12 January 2016, has been resuscitated more than ten times in his short life. Although hospitals here are helping as much as they can, their support is not sustainable. So, he needs to jet off to Boston to undergo a surgery that can change his life forever. However, the surgery could cost the family between R5 million and R7 million! So, Darren Simpson and the rest of the team have called on the Jozi public to help – and the results have been outstanding.
On Friday last week (7 October 2016), Darren spoke to Caylum’s mother Samantha about Caylum’s condition, which is precarious, and the progress of their fundraiser, which had already reached a R4 million. It was then when Darren urged any listeners who could, to donate to get Caylum to Boston. Within an hour, over R1,5 million had been pledged. Families donated; a man donated his R100 000 nest egg; pensioners; students as well as companies big and small all pledged. By the end of the show, once all the donations have been tallied R3,8 million had been raised, more than double what was needed for this trip to Boston.
Samantha and Wayne, Caylum’s parents, were completely overwhelmed and committed to using any surplus funds to assist other children who are born with the rare complications that affected Caylum. Not only did the city come together, but they’ve made a huge impact on Caylum and kids in a similar condition.
Still want to donate? Go to www.caylum.org.za or SMS Caylum to 40555 to donate R20.
Well done, Jozi!
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