Help Erna Live Cancer Free
- By: Kaye Miller
- Short URL: https://archive.backabuddy.co.za/erna-smit-5816679031688878905
- Date Created: 21 January 2024
Personal message
My friend Erna came to Cape Town, South Africa for a 3-month holiday in December 2022 to visit her 97-year-old mother. She fell ill during this time and was diagnosed with Fast Progressing Malignant B Cell Lymphoma. Too weak to fly back to the UK for treatment, she had to be treated in South Africa. Although she is a South African citizen by birth , she didn't qualify for government healthcare. This meant she had to be treated privately and pay for all the treatments herself.
Initially, she was unable to turn in bed or to sit on the edge of the bed unaided. This was due to the cancerous lymphoma cells pressing on her heart arteries, so the blood could not transport oxygen to her arm and leg muscles. After a series of chemotherapies she is now living independently in a flat and she can drive a car.
She received six sessions of R CHOP Chemotherapy to start the treatment plan. A CT Scan and Pet Scan at the end of the sessions showed that there were still active cancer cells remaining, which turned out to be much more aggressive. As a result, the diagnosis was changed to Primary Refractory Disease, and she was given 3 sessions of Pola-BR- Chemotherapy.
The Polar-BR Chemotherapy had to be flown in from Switzerland , which made it a lot more expensive. Another PET Scan and CT Scan showed that she is clear of cancer now. But the Doctor told her that they know from experience that there's a very high chance that the cancer will return.
To combat this ,she will need to have a Stem Cell Transplant with her own cells. The stem cells will have to be harvested . This is a very expensive process. Until now , she has paid for all her treatments out of her own pocket , using her retirement savings. Due to the high expense, she is beginning to run out of money, and she will need funding to pay for the Stem Cell Transplant.
The Harvesting of the cells and the Transplant will cost R1000,000 or 42,000GBP or $54,644. With the transplant she will have a 91% chance of being alive in one year. With the Pola-BR Chemo, it 's only 50%. There is a 40%-50% chance that she can be cured with a Stem Cell Transplant. She has explored many avenues for funding.
She does not qualify to have this done at a government facility, as they do not offer this treatment for patients over 60. Following the medical route would mean that she will need to continue Chemotherapy at high cost while waiting to become a member and risk that the cancer can return. Joining a medical aid scheme means a year long wait before claims can be made. She has also written to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK but they could not confirm whether they would cover the Stem Cell Transplant. Therefore, crowdfunding seems to be the only option open to her.
The Harvesting was completed on February 8. The doctor was pleased with the results and enough stem cells were collected.
The next step is to wait for an admission date for the Transplant. Admission will be in a high care facility like an Intensive Care Unit where Erna will be monitorred 24/7. This is an approximate 20 day process, depending on her progress, that starts with a very strong Chemotherapy drug. After a week, the Transplant will take place and 3 weeks are allowed for recovery.
Main threats to the treatment are infection, non-engraftment of the stem cells, fever and inflammation on the digestive tract making it impossible to swallow.
We hope for a successful outcome so that Erna can continue living her life cancer free. The admission is imminent and the the first bills due to arrive soon. Therefore, any donations will be greatly received.
Erna worked in the NHS as a physiotherapist and project manager. The past two years , she has worked as a teaching assistant in education. She is a 65 year old female and apart from the cancer is young and in good health. Her doctors are positive that this is the best available option to provide her with quality of life and extend the years of her life.
In her free time , she is interested in digital photography and hopes to set up her own YouTube channel. She loves walking, which she cannot do now, but wants to start again once the Transplant is over. She is also a tennis fan and is involved in serving her local church. Please help my dear friend of 33 years live free of cancer.
Donations
- Mar 02, 2024 - USD $ 54.03 Fees covered
- "Praying dear Erna…" - Anonymous
- Mar 01, 2024 - R 5 000.00
- "Erna, baie sterkte tydens hierdie geveg. Ons weet dis nie maklike pad nie. Jy is in ons gebede en gedagtes. Bid God se Almagtige Genade en Seën oor jou uit vir volkome genesing." - Anonymous
- Feb 29, 2024 - USD $ 56.03 Fees covered
- "You are in our prayers!" - Mina
- Feb 27, 2024 - USD $ 54.03 Fees covered
- "" - Anonymous
- Feb 27, 2024 - USD $ 108.05 Fees covered
- "Erna, so glad the first step is complete. Now on to a successful transplant procedure! Stay strong. I have fond memories of our stay in France some years back, as well as Miller Campground adventures. Love and prayers" - Boz
- Feb 27, 2024 - USD $ 108.05 Fees covered
- "Stay in the fight, keep those doctors in awe of your strength! Most of all, stay positive and keep that beautiful smile for all to see. 🙏💃🦋" - ASE
- Feb 27, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "" - Anonymous
- Feb 27, 2024 - USD $ 108.05 Fees covered
- "" - Anonymous
- Feb 12, 2024 - USD $ 11.35 Fees covered
- "Wishing you the best on your journey to beat CANCER! I am a survivor and your attitude of being positive is absolutely necessary along with your faith. Prayers and hugs to you!" - Suzan Miller
- Feb 09, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Erna - jou optimisme en geloof en vasberadenheid is aansteeklik! Ons glo en vertrou daardie stemselle gaan nou hulle kant bring! Baie liefde" - Anonymous
- Feb 07, 2024 - USD $ 28.69 Fees covered
- "My liewe vriendin, ons bid vir jou dat die Here jou volkome sal genees. Hy alleen is die groot Geneesheer. Sterkte vir jou." - Ingrid Robbertze
- Feb 07, 2024 - USD $ 27.01 Fees covered
- "Get better soon Erna xxx" - Renata Williams
- Feb 04, 2024 - USD $ 57.17 Fees covered
- "praying for you Erna - and giving thanks for your faith through this difficult time" - Anonymous
- Feb 02, 2024 - USD $ 100.49 Fees covered
- "I am processing this for my friend Janice W Kaye" - Anonymous
- Feb 02, 2024 - USD $ 17.35 Fees covered
- "All the best Erna, hope you get well soon. Paul and Jen" - Anonymous
- Feb 01, 2024 - USD $ 57.85 Fees covered
- "Thinking and praying for you Erna Much love Charisse x" - Charisse
- Jan 31, 2024 - USD $ 115.08 Fees covered
- "Very touched by your All Souls prayer points today and just wanted to help a bit! God bless. X" - Anonymous
- Jan 31, 2024 - USD $ 32.42 Fees covered
- "Praying for your ongoing care and treatment, Erna. From all of your musical friends and family at All Souls, Langham Place." - Anonymous
- Jan 31, 2024 - USD $ 216.10 Fees covered
- "With love and prayers" - Anonymous
- Jan 30, 2024 - USD $ 108.05 Fees covered
- "Praying for you, dear friend!" - Anonymous
- Jan 30, 2024 - USD $ 114.89 Fees covered
- "Stay strong, my friend! X" - Riette
- Jan 30, 2024 - USD $ 64.83 Fees covered
- "" - Anonymous
- Jan 30, 2024 - USD $ 2 500.00
- "We are praying for you Tannie Erna! Love you and may God be with you during this difficult journey." - David & Ilze Bone
- Jan 30, 2024 - USD $ 27.01 Fees covered
- "Wishing you a wonderful journey to health! I am a woman of faith, so I am keeping you in my prayers! Hope is a very important concept to me, even more so after 2 rounds of breast cancer, so I’m sending you lots of hope and even more love! ♥️🙏🏼♥️" - Anonymous
- Jan 29, 2024 - USD $ 162.08 Fees covered
- "Thank you so much for launching this campaign. With love and prayers for Erna xx" - Fang-Fang Lam
- Jan 29, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Praying for the best possible outcome, knowing that we can trust God in every detail- with love and prayers for complete restoration 🕊️" - Anonymous
- Jan 28, 2024 - USD $ 216.10 Fees covered
- "You are in our hearts . Kaye and Bill are so dear to many of us and your smiles radiate friendship . Peace" - Anonymous
- Jan 28, 2024 - USD $ 86.26 Fees covered
- "Ons vertrou dat jou behandeling suksesvol sal wees en dat God se genade jou deur alles sal dra.." - Anonymous
- Jan 28, 2024 - USD $ 11.50 Fees covered
- "We love you thru Kaye and Bill. All sails flying high" - Anonymous
- Jan 28, 2024 - USD $ 27.01 Fees covered
- "" - Anonymous
- Jan 28, 2024 - USD $ 57.51 Fees covered
- "Erna. Praying for a successful outcome for you. Julie xx" - Anonymous
- Jan 27, 2024 - USD $ 216.10 Fees covered
- "Your smile is one of strength and beauty. Stay positive and fight like a girl!! Kaye loves you, so we all do too. 🙏❤️" - Anonymous
- Jan 27, 2024 - USD $ 216.10 Fees covered
- "" - Anonymous
- Jan 27, 2024 - USD $ 540.25 Fees covered
- "Be a strong warrior. Sending much love." - Bill Womble
- Jan 26, 2024 - USD $ 270.13 Fees covered
- "" - Anonymous
- Jan 26, 2024 - USD $ 114.37 Fees covered
- "Good luck with your treatment! We have all heard so much about you for so many years from Kaye. Thank you for being such a good friend to her." - Anonymous
- Jan 26, 2024 - USD $ 54.03 Fees covered
- "" - Anonymous
- Jan 25, 2024 - USD $ 228.71 Fees covered
- "" - Cindy Butler
- Jan 24, 2024 - USD $ 432.20 Fees covered
- "Stay strong" - Anonymous
- Jan 21, 2024 - USD $ 1 080.50 Fees covered
- "" - Kaye Miller
Statistics
Fundraising target
R 727 000.00Donations to date
R 140 288.45Funds raised offline
R 2 500.00Help Erna Live Cancer Free Campaign
Erna, 65, urgently needs funds for a Stem Cell Transplant to combat Fast Progressing Malignant B Cell Lymphoma. Having privately undergone treatments, she faces a critical need for R1000,000. A former NHS professional, Erna is determined to extend her life and pursue interests like digital photography. Donations are urgently needed for the procedure starting on January 19th. Your support can help Erna combat cancer and live a fulfilling life