Boy (6) from Leandra suffers from a femoral hernia and urgently needs surgery
Janco Hanekom could have complications as an adult should he not get the urgent surgery for his medical condition, femoral hernia caused by testicular torsion.
A BackaBuddy account has been created for six-year-old Janco Hanekom, who urgently requires surgery for a femoral hernia caused by testicular torsion.
Testicular torsion occurs when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot or opening in the surrounding muscle or tissue. If left untreated, it can cause irreversible damage.
In June 2024, Janco was treated for two abscesses in his mouth. Two days after treatment, his left testicle began to swell and moisture accumulated.
“He was given medication to reduce the swelling, but the doctor warned us it could return and now it has,” said his mother, Nadia Hanekom.
She explained the only way to treat Janco’s condition is through surgery to drain the hernia and repair the affected tube.
“If the operation is delayed or unsuccessful, it could affect his ability to conceive children as an adult,” she said.
The family is not on medical aid and the procedure could cost about R35 000.
“There are government hospitals, but as his mother, I feel his future depends on this surgery and I cannot take that risk,” said Hanekom. She prefers a specialist urologist experienced with such conditions.
Hanekom also shared her difficult experience with government hospitals when her own mother fell ill with emphysema. She had to leave work to care for her mother, who sadly passed away on June 23. Her husband AJ is self-employed and the family’s sole provider.
“My hands are tied. There is no money for further medical consultations for Janco,” she said.
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The family has reached out to Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels, and relatives and friends are sharing Janco’s BackaBuddy campaign to raise funds. The campaign can be found at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/janco~2
“Janco is a farm boy, rough and always busy. He doesn’t sit still. To keep him calm, she fixed an old cellphone for him to play with. The slightest bump or wrong movement could cause serious damage. We try to keep him as still as possible,” said Hanekom.
Janco is a Grade R learner at Laerskool Goedehoop.
“We have explained to him that if he hurts his testicle while playing, it could burst. He loves riding his bike but can’t anymore because of the pressure it puts on his testicle. He can’t even wear underpants due to the discomfort,” said his mother.
The swollen testicle causes him continuous pain and discomfort. The family asks the public to support Janco by donating or sharing his BackaBuddy campaign to spread the word and help save his future.
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