My mom recently travelled to Cape Town for a long-awaited hip replacement. She had personally borrowed the funds to pay for the procedure upfront, as her medical aid would only reimburse after claims — and from past experience when I had my cancer operation, they typically cover only about 50% of the costs.

However, during her pre-operative assessments, doctors discovered something far more serious: severe aortic stenosis, a critical narrowing of the heart valve.

In what we truly believe is a blessing in disguise, the hip surgeon told us that had he proceeded with the operation, she likely would not have survived. We are incredibly grateful that this was discovered in time. Someone was clearly watching over her.

She now urgently needs heart valve surgery, which is estimated to cost approximately ZAR 620,000. We currently have about a third of that amount available from the funds originally intended for the hip operation — which can no longer go ahead until her heart is treated.

She is undergoing further tests today and on Monday to determine the full extent of the valve damage, and we will soon have clearer guidance on the timing. What we do know is that this surgery needs to happen as soon as possible.

We are asking, humbly, for your help.

Any contribution — no matter how small — will bring us closer to getting her the life-saving surgery she needs.

If you are unable to give, please consider sharing this page. Your support, prayers and kindness mean more than we can express.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. ❤️