Fundraiser held to help East ‘warrior’ girl
The condition of five-year-old Jade Ward, who was diagnosed with a disease that affects the bone marrow and the production of blood cells, has been deteriorating, leading to a fundraiser being held for her in Pretoria.
Pretoria residents braved the rain on Saturday and visited the Noord van die Berg Fest held at the local Waenhuiskrans farm market.
The event was held to raise funds for 5-year-old Jade Ward, who is suffering from Fanconi anaemia, a disease that affects the bone marrow and the production of blood cells.
Jade’s father Jason said the event was organised by a family friend they had lost contact with for almost 25 years.
ALSO READ : Atteridgeville NPO keeps young girls in school
The event featured local musicians and residents were treated to local market cuisine.
Ward said a percentage of the profits made through the event will go to funds to assist Jade.
“It’s phenomenal.
“I think people in this country are overwhelmed by crime, negativity, and the lack of help from the government.
“Then suddenly you have something like this happening,” he told Rekord.
“It shows that there is a lot of positivity, love and hope in this country.”
ALSO READ: From illegal dumpsite to eco-park
Jason said Jade had to go for blood transfusions to keep her blood levels up.
A bone marrow transplant would save the girl’s life.
This required a stem cell donor, which she did not have.
Her mother, Chrystal, said Jade’s health has deteriorated fast.
She now needs blood platelets every four weeks because of her bone marrow’s inability to produce blood.
Jason said the family was delighted about a recent donor found in the United Kingdom to help her daughter.
“Jade needs chemotherapy but this destroys her faulty bone and marrow. The donor’s matching bone marrow will replace this.
“Hopefully, the new bone and marrow will attach itself as it should, so it can start growing and producing new blood.”
ALSO READPolice put the brakes on an armed duo who were allegedly planning a Centurion business robbery
Jason said the procedure was very scary as they had lost a child who doctors suspect might have had a similar condition.
Their four-month-old son Gabriel died in 2016 due to congenital abnormalities.
Jason said Jade’s procedure was very frightening, but it was the only step they could take.
“There is no cure for this unless they can fix the bone and marrow. This is our last option but the doctors are very positive.
He said the donor’s bone and marrow was a 99% match, so everything looked positive.
“It is a blessing that there is someone out there who has never met my daughter and is willing to do this.
“It gives you hope and makes you realise that the world is still a beautiful place.
“She’s only five and doesn’t understand the magnitude of the issue. The frequent visits to hospital to get her blood levels up have had an effect on her because she does not like hospitals and she is very scared of needles, but she is in relatively high spirits like every 5-year-old.”
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
