Help premature baby Duan keep fighting
A mother has started a BackABuddy campaign and asks the community to keep them in their prayers as baby Duan, who was born prematurely at 32 weeks, is fighting for his life.
Baby Duan du Plessis, who was born prematurely at just 1.135kg and 36cm, is a true fighter.
• Also read: Raising awareness for premature babies
Duan entered the world at 19:32 on February 26, and his mother, Valerie du Plessis, says when he was born prematurely at 32 weeks, he faced immediate challenges but showed incredible strength, proving there is hope.
She continued, Duan was born with underdeveloped lungs, a common condition for premature babies. His initial days were spent on a SiPap breathing machine, providing him with the necessary oxygen to help his tiny body breathe.
Valerie mentioned that although there were moments when he struggled to remember to breathe, he quickly showed signs of improvement – a true fighter from the very beginning.
Duan was going well until Sunday, March 16, when the family received devastating news.
“He had developed a high-risk infection due to his meningitis count skyrocketing to over 280. His doctors acted quickly, starting treatment immediately and performing brain scans to ensure there was no bleeding or lasting damage in his brain,” she said.
“In the following days, he required a blood transfusion to address dangerously low PH levels in his blood.
Despite these treatments, his infection count continued to rise, reaching a terrifying 396.”
The phone call that came in from his doctors was even worse. Duan needed another transfusion, and the road to recovery was uncertain.
As young parents, they are facing not only the emotional toll of seeing their baby fight for his life but also the financial burden that comes with the intensive care required for premature infants. The mounting medical costs have left them struggling, unsure of how they will cover the expenses of the ongoing treatments that their baby desperately needs.
Valerie is asking the community to keep their baby in their prayers.
If you would like to donate towards the Du Plessis’ expenses, contact Valerie on 082 830 2725 or visit their BackABuddy page.
