Raising Medical Funds for Elsa

I am writing this letter on behalf of my cousin Carel Van Huyssteen who is looking after his sister, Elsa Van Huyssteen, also my cousin. They are unable to set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds as they live in Zimbabwe and do not have a foreign bank account. So, I am doing this for them from Australia where I live. Elsa is 61, a mother, a sister, and a loved aunt. She is also like a grandmother to 7 grandnieces and nephews who absolutely adore her.

A year ago, Elsa had a fall and broke her arm. The fall and the consequent pressure caused a break in her shoulder, where Osteoporosis had weakened the joint. She struggled daily with pain and was trying to raise funds to cover the medical aid shortfall so she could have shoulder surgery. Then on the 18th of January 2025, she was involved in a car accident. Although still weak, Elsa was discharged. Recovery is slow and she is unable to keep any food down. She has lost weight, and infection has now set in. Elsa had to be readmitted to hospital. Although medical aid covered some of her expenses, it was quickly exhausted, and Elsa has had to borrow money for doctors' visits and her hospital stay. She was discharged again but soon ended up back at the hospital. Despite her best efforts she has run out of funds and as a result of this has been sent home again regardless of the fact that she still requires care.

Elsa is too weak to move or walk unassisted. She is in constant pain, nauseous and bloated. Elsa struggles to keep food down and continues to lose weight. She needs further scans and medical care as a result of her gall bladder operation and subsequent infection, and she still requires an operation on her shoulder as well. So, this is an ongoing situation for her until she has completely recovered. Medical aid won't cover any further medical care for the rest of the year! Doctors are reluctant to continue treating her unless she can pay upfront. Elsa is in debt from hospital bills and medications which are still necessary and needs to repay the money she has borrowed.

Elsa longs to get back to her life; to visit her daughter, hug her nephew and nieces and play with her ``grandbabies`` but with the financial strain and physical pain it seems like an impossibility.

We are currently needing to raise money for all her outstanding bills and funds necessary for her ongoing treatment and operation/s

Any donations for Elsa would be very greatly appreciated.