Help Nigel fight rare disease

By: Nigel Adcock
Short URL: https://archive.backabuddy.co.za/nigel-adcock-5787371106771975161
Date Created: 18 December 2023

Funds Raised:
R 0

Fundraising Target:
R 500 000

Personal message

Nigel is a lover of the South African bush and tries to get to the Pilanesberg once a month to do voluntary work in the park. It is a retreat for him and his wife where they manage to switch off from “real life”.

In May of 2018 Nigel became ill. After a year of tests and not knowing what was wrong, he was diagnosed with 2 autoimmune diseases being systemic vasculitis with relapsing Polycondritis. During this time he was also retrenched and he started doing his own handy man work and servicing of cars. His wife runs her own business which is seasonal.

From May 2019 to May 2022 Nigel had numerous flare ups and hospital visits. Monthly medication depletes the medical aid savings by April each year. Despite the high medication bills none of the medications seem to work and in May 2022 things got worse. Since that time Nigel has hardly been able to work with his health condition deteriorating.

He was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinomas on his head which he currently needs radiation treatment for as well as Myelodysplastic syndrome. More recently he has been tested for VEXAS syndrome for which they are awaiting results. This is a very rare disease of which testing is being done in the USA. If the tests come back positive, which doctor is 100% sure that they will, Nigel will be the only known case in South Africa. This is a newly diagnosed disease, only found in 2020, so treatments are limited the world over.

Nigel also has cataracts as a result from his medication which can only be corrected in May 2024 provided he doesn’t have another flare up in his eyes. He has been hospitalised 7 times since the end of July with medical bills alone this year amounting to close on R1.300.000. Medical Aid have only paid a portion of these bills. This is all putting a huge strain on the family both financially and emotionally.

Nigel requires 2 medications to help him start fighting this illness. One is to recover the bone marrow somewhat and the other is to reduce inflammation. At this stage the medical aid is refusing to cover these medicines which amount to over R30.000 per month.

The family are looking for donations please to assist in paying past and future medical bills.

Those that know Nigel know that he only has a fraction of the strength and vuma he used to have. Please help us in trying to make him feel better.

Statistics

Fundraising target

R 500 000.00

Donations to date

R 0.00

Help Nigel fight rare disease Campaign

Nigel, a devoted lover of the South African bush, used to find solace in volunteering at Pilanesberg with his wife, escaping the challenges of life.

However, since May 2018, he has battled autoimmune diseases, experienced job loss, and faced escalating health issues. Despite monthly medication expenses depleting their medical aid, his health deteriorated further in May 2022, with diagnoses of squamous cell carcinomas and Myelodysplastic syndrome.

Testing for the rare VEXAS syndrome is pending, with potential groundbreaking implications. Cataracts, a side effect of medication, add to his health woes. Seven hospitalizations since July have resulted in overwhelming medical bills, causing significant financial and emotional strain.

Nigel urgently needs two vital medications, costing over R30,000 monthly, which the medical aid refuses to cover. The family is seeking donations to alleviate the burden of past and future medical expenses and restore Nigel's strength.