After 17 years of battling kidney disease, Brandon needs community support
After 17 years of surgeries, dialysis and mounting medical expenses, Brandon Booysen's family is appealing to the community for help to keep his treatment going.
For most 21-year-olds, life is about pursuing studies, building a career and embracing independence. For Brandon Booysen, every day is a fight for survival.
Brandon has spent the past 17 years battling chronic kidney disease (CKD), enduring more than 50 surgeries, countless hospital admissions and daily medical challenges.
Diagnosed with Stage 3 CKD in 2009 at just four years old, his condition has progressed to end-stage kidney disease, leaving him dependent on life-saving home haemodialysis and requiring full-time care.
Born with several complex congenital conditions, including a single left duplex kidney, a neurogenic bladder, bladder septum and mild spina bifida, Brandon underwent numerous reconstructive surgeries throughout his childhood. These included bladder reconstruction, urethral reimplantation, surgery to treat reflux, the removal of his left testis and a failed Mitrofanoff procedure.
He has also undergone orthopaedic surgery to correct severe knock-knee deformities, had his tonsils and adenoids removed, received a MIC-KEY button – a low-profile gastrostomy feeding tube that lies flat against the skin and delivers food, fluids and medication directly into the stomach or small intestine – and continues to battle sleep apnoea.
In 2018, Brandon’s kidneys failed, and he began peritoneal dialysis before later transitioning to haemodialysis. Because he is bedridden and unable to travel, dialysis is now performed at home several times a week. While essential to keeping him alive, the treatment has significantly increased the family’s monthly electricity costs.
Another devastating setback came in 2024 when Brandon was diagnosed with severe hyperparathyroidism, a serious complication of advanced kidney disease. Excessively high calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels caused widespread bone deterioration, resulting in the collapse of bones from his neck down and leaving him with chronic pain and severe mobility challenges.
In February 2025, he underwent a highly specialised parathyroid exploration and embolisation of an ectopic mediastinal adenoma through left femoral artery access. Although the procedure helped stabilise his condition, Brandon remains on ongoing treatment.
His monthly medication, costing about R3 200, is not covered by medical aid but is essential to prevent further bone damage.
Most recently, Brandon was also diagnosed with stomach and spleen complications, adding to the growing list of health challenges requiring specialist treatment and regular monitoring.
Despite having medical aid, the Booysen family has exhausted their medical savings. Many specialist consultations, treatments, medications and procedures are only partially covered or excluded altogether, leaving them with mounting out-of-pocket expenses. Some outstanding medical accounts have already been handed over for collection.
Beyond hospital bills, Brandon requires around-the-clock care, regular specialist consultations, costly medication and additional prepaid electricity to safely operate his home dialysis equipment.
His mother, Lucille, said the family is doing everything possible to ensure Brandon receives the care he needs, but the financial burden has become overwhelming.
“My brave son is fighting the battle of his life against CKD and parathyroidism. Every day brings new challenges, but he continues to face them with incredible courage and determination,” she said.
“As his family, we refuse to give up on him, and we hope others won’t either. I know I share Brandon’s story often, but raising awareness is vital because keeping up with his ongoing medical needs is incredibly difficult. Every donation, every share and every kind word gives us hope and brings us one step closer to helping him.”
The Booysen family is appealing to the public for assistance to help cover Brandon’s ongoing medical treatment, specialist consultations, medication, dialysis-related electricity costs and outstanding medical expenses.
Those unable to donate are encouraged to share Brandon’s story or consider making a monthly contribution, as every act of support helps ease the family’s burden.
Those wishing to support Brandon can contribute through his BackaBuddy campaign.
For Brandon and his family, every contribution represents more than financial assistance – it is a reminder that they are not facing this journey alone and that hope remains, even after 17 years of extraordinary resilience.
