Personal message

Hello, my name is Genélle Bezuidenhout, a 24-year-old from Gauteng, Kempton Park, reaching out to you in a moment of deep need. It's not easy to ask for help, but sometimes facing life's challenges alone is an impossible feat.

From the tender age of 12, I began grappling with health issues, a journey marked by a diagnosis of a thyroid disorder. By the time I turned 18, my world had taken a tumultuous turn. Days were spent bedridden, shuttling between doctors, specialists, and the hospital.

Today, I carry the weight of multiple medical challenges—autoimmune diseases, Graves disease, Lupus, kidney problems, poor liver and gall bladder function, and a recent addition, a rare blood disease called Factor V Laiden. A pulmonary embolism has scarred my lungs and heart, leaving permanent damage, and I remain at risk of more blood clots due to Factor V, tethered to a myriad of medications.

The toll on my mental health has been staggering—major depressive disorder, panic disorder, chronic anxiety, and PTSD. Each day is a battle, fought with the aid of medication.

Now, having shared my condensed yet intricate journey, I turn to you because I am drowning in medical debt, unable to afford crucial medications, specialist visits, and essential tests. While I have medical aid until March/April, thereafter, the burden falls solely on me.

Working is a struggle as my body falters, and I yearn for the freedom to do ordinary things—drive a car, bask in the sun without fear of autoimmune flares, swim in the sea, stroll through a mall, climb stairs without exhaustion. I crave a life where my soul isn't imprisoned by my failing body.

Your assistance will alleviate my medical debt and contribute to vital specialist visits, medications, and necessary tests. This year, a Hematologist's appointment awaits, demanding exhaustive tests for my blood clotting disorder, Factor V. Treatment options, including a potential stem cell or bone marrow transplant, loom, but financial constraints bar me from exploring them fully.

Facing specialists for my heart, lungs, autoimmune disorders, and a barrage of tests leaves my head spinning. It's overwhelming, and I wonder, just like you might, how so much adversity can befall one person. Yet, it is my reality.

Your support isn't just about financial aid; it's about reshaping my future. This isn't merely a plea for help; it's an earnest request to change the trajectory of my life. Together, we can make that difference.