Christie needs a kidney transplant

Christie Nel is a 26-year-old from General Alberts Park who is in dire need of a kidney transplant.

She was diagnosed with a rare disease, anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody (anti-GBM). In layman’s terms, this means her body sees her kidneys as foreign objects and has attacked them until they no longer work.

“I am in a phase where I thought my life has just begun, but my disease makes it very challenging for me to live a full life,” she said.

Her disease

She was diagnosed with anti-GBM, an autoimmune disorder, in 2019 and since then she has to undergo dialysis four times a day, every day.

“We were overseas when my symptoms first started and due to me not being a citizen they could not assist me over there, so I had to come back to South Africa,” she explained.

Christie’s symptoms ranged from feeling like you have the flu to swollen feet and a swollen face.

“I did not think that it was this serious at first, even though I felt very sick.”

According to her, she has to go for monthly check-ups at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

“I am very lucky to be able to do my dialysis at home. It is called peritoneal dialysis,” she said.

In a Mayo Clinic article, it is stated that during peritoneal dialysis, a cleansing fluid (dialysate) is circulated through a tube (catheter) inside part of your abdominal cavity (peritoneal cavity). The dialysate absorbs waste products from blood vessels in your abdominal lining (peritoneum) and then is drawn back out of your body and discarded.

In need of a transplant

Christie told the RECORD she is on a waiting list for a kidney transplant, but it can take eight to 10 years.

“I have two donors, but due to Covid-19 I was told they do not do testing now and that it can take up to a year before they will start testing again. I do not know if I have eight or 10 years left,” she said.

There is no cure for her disease, and what is keeping her alive is her daily dialysis.

Her life is like a roller coaster, one day she feels good and healthy and the next day she feels sick and bedridden.

Christie, unfortunately, does not have medical aid and the cost of a kidney transplant, which includes the testing of a possible donor, costs R750 000, which excludes her hospital stay for recovery.

“I want to, therefore, raise funds for a kidney transplant. I am so eager for my life to get back to normal and therefore request assistance to seek help privately.”

Looking forward

Even though she has many reasons to give up due to living with severe pain, she chooses to fight.

“There is a lot of people who have it worse than me, but this is my battle and I am planning to win it, but I will need some help.”

According to her, she has a very supportive team of friends and family members behind her.

“My partner, Thomas, has been an absolute gem. He stuck with me for better and for worse. I am so grateful to him.

“I look forward to leading a normal life and not spending hours on a machine. I would really like to continue pursuing my hobbies, which include horse riding and swimming.”

How you can help

Those who want to donate to Christie’s cause can donate money via her BackaBuddy link.

As per the campaign creator’s request, funds raised will be paid directly to the institution.

For more information about her disease, contact her on 084 265 1491.