Little Amy’s brave fight
Three-year-old Amy Klopper needs your assistance as she battles a rare blood disease.
A parent’s worst nightmare: Having to watch their child fight for their life while clinging onto the hope they will one day experience a normal childhood like every other child.
Sarah and Wiekus Klopper’s lives took a dramatic turn in January while undergoing constant hospital visits with their three-year-old daughter Amy, who was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia.
Aplastic anaemia is a rare condition that occurs when the body stops producing enough new blood cells. It is a severe blood disease which leaves one feeling fatigued and with a higher risk of infections and uncontrolled bleeding. According to Sarah, Amy’s bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells, making her prone to various infections.
Also read: Everything about anaemia…and how to get it under control
Speaking to the Roodepoort Northsider, both Sarah and Wiekus explained how they started noticing a rash, several bruises and fatigue from Amy during December 2024. Like any parent, they thought Amy was not getting enough rest, and she reacted to something.
On December 27, Sarah noticed unusual spots spreading on Amy’s face. During that time, most doctors and specialists were on leave for the holidays, so they opted to take her to the nearest medical centre for assistance.
“The doctor told us that the normal human body has between 150 000 and 450 000 platelets per microlitre of blood.”
Platelets are tiny cell fragments in the blood that play a crucial role in blood clotting and preventing excessive bleeding.
“In Amy’s case, she had a low platelet count, which caused the prolonged bleeding, fatigue and weakness as well as easily bruising, which takes a long time to recover. For a child that young, it becomes so traumatic having to spend too much time in the hospital and undergoing so many blood tests and not being able to experience a normal life like any other child.
“It breaks our heart each time Amy asks why she has to always be in the hospital or if she is going to get better. She deserves to play with other children and experience the great outdoors without worrying about her condition,” Sarah said.
After Wiekus made the decision to resign from his current job and be there for his family, to help alleviate some of the financial burden of their medical expenses, they started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Amy’s condition and the support was remarkable.
Despite her tender age, Amy is still showing remarkable courage in the face of adversity with her bright smile and lively energy. Although she has to undergo treatment regularly, her parents remain hopeful that their daughter will recover.
If you would like to contribute to Amy’s condition, visit her GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/63d10798.
