Family’s frantic plea to save daughter’s life

IN October 2012 Niselle Naidoo's life changed forever when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphblastic Leukaemia (ALL).

Niselle explained that she had been feeling exhausted but because she was so busy at school, was oblivious to what was really wrong.

“On the first day of the fourth term in Grade 11, Niselle wasn't feeling well and her dad took her to the doctor. The doctor said she was very pale and ran bloods. He called us the next day to say her bloods were abnormally low. He got in contact with the specialist and made an appointment and Niselle had to be admitted to hospital for a transfusion” said mom, Lovin.

Bone marrow tests were done and the family received the devastating news that changed their lives forever. Niselle had leukaemia. Since her diagnosis she has had various cycles of aggressive sessions of chemotherapy, radiation and various other forms of cancer treatments which frequently necessitated in-patient care.

“Following intensive cycles of chemotherapy Niselle went into remission in 2013. It was a busy time as she was juggling her treatment with studying for her matric exansm but she wrote her exams and got a Bacherlors pass and a distinction” said Lovin.

In 2014 a biopsy revealed that Niselle had relapsed. This was followed by aggressive bouts of chemotherapy to get her back into remission.

“Our life for the past two-and-a-half years has been both difficult and challenging, and not forgetting heartbreaking to have to witness all that our daughter has had to endure through this journey. As parents there is nothing more punishing than to see your child suffer and go through all the trauma and agony just to survive another day. While chemotherapy is administered to eliminate or destroy cancer, there is also the trade off of the harsh reality of the many side effects during and after chemotherapy. Through it all, by the Grace of God, Niselle has managed to recover well from the various phases and cycles of treatments. Results from the last bone marrow biopsy that was done in March has revealed that she is now in remission” said Lovin.

Niselle like many teenagers has her own dreams and goals that she would like to achieve, however at this current moment she is unable to commit to any long term plans until she has successfully completed all her treatments.

Her long term survival will be dependent on a bone marrow transplant. All planning and authorisation for the transplant has already taken place and the family is now anxiously awaiting a donor match.

“Niselle has no siblings and there are no significant matches in SA, therefore a unrelated donor search has been extended internationally. While medical aid has authorised all payments for the medical aspects pertaining to the transplant, we have been advised that we are liable for all costs related to international donor testing and the procurement of stem cells” said Lovin.

There have been preliminary matches found in Germany and Netherlands but further testing will need to be done. The family will need to raise between R250 000 to R300 000.

“We are now appealing to the business communities, organisations and communities at large to assist us in raising the funds required to cover the cost for the international donor search. This is our only hope now as Niselle can't have any more chemotherapy” said Lovin.

If you can help Contact Lovin on 084 551 5599.

Banking details are: Account name: The Nisy Fund; Bank: Nedbank; Branch: Chatsworth; code: 132226; Account type: Current account; Account number: 1103827014.