Eight-year-old Ethan Visagie, a brave but very sick little boy from Rayton, will celebrate his ninth birthday on September 29. Ethan is not waiting for a birthday present in the form of a new bicycle or game station – he is eagerly waiting for a bone marrow transplant.

He suffers from a rare disease called Fanconi Anemia and has been in and out of hospital for nearly three years. (Streeknuus, July 4). It is a serious genetic disorder that affects his bone marrow and overall health.

According to his mother, Sunell van Schalkwyk, Ethan is doing well at the moment.

“He has a cold, but is attending school.”

The young Ethan is a Grade Two learner from Laerskool Rayton. The mother said that she was advised to send him to a normal school and not place him in a ‘bubble’.

“Ethan cannot play any sports as this can aggravate his heart condition. He bruises easily, and any fall can cause problems.”

Once an active little boy, Ethan is now pale, tired and bruises quickly.

“I noticed something was amiss shortly before his sixth birthday. He was tired all the time, pale, and very sleepy,” she told Streeknuus.

A doctor, concerned about Ethan’s racing heartbeat, suggested he be admitted to the hospital for monitoring and a blood transfusion.

“The drip in his little arm caused a severe infection, and he was rushed into theatre for emergency surgery.”

A week later, Ethan was admitted to Universitas Hospital in Bloemfontein, where they stayed at the time, for a bone marrow test. It confirmed the diagnosis.

A full body scan followed, revealing a hole in the aorta of his heart. An infection in Ethan’s heart delayed the surgery to implant a Nitinol (nickel-titanium) wire mesh in his heart for several weeks.

“We celebrated his birthday in the hospital. He missed his first year of school.”

A bone marrow transplant is Ethan’s best chance of recovery, but finding a matching donor has proven extremely difficult.

Although family and close friends have been tested, no match has been found yet. Van Schalkwyk, a single mum of three, told Streeknuus that she remains positive, but really needs an income.

Although she has a support structure, she described their situation as emotionally, physically, and financially overwhelming.

“I cannot commit to a normal job as I never know when Ethan will need to be admitted to the Steve Biko Hospital again; he also goes for frequent blood tests and follow-up visits. I hope and pray for something that I can do from home.”

A Back-a-Buddy campaign has been launched, and all donations will go directly towards Ethan’s care, hospital trips, and the essentials he needs to stay strong during this fight.

“If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this campaign – it truly means the world to us. May a suitable donor be found before Ethan turns nine. It will be close to a miracle to have our normal and playful Ethan back,” said Van Schalkwyk.