New Hope for Patrick Campaign

Hi, I am Carina and I really need your help to raise funds for young Patrick Komane. 

Patrick is the 19-year-old son of my family’s farmworker Abel and domestic worker Susan. In 2018, Patrick had an accident during high jump at school and sustained a collapsed fracture to his 10th thoracic vertebrae. This was unfortunately only diagnosed in October 2023 as Patrick has progressively lost function from his lower abdomen all the way down and is currently unable to walk.

Patrick is dependent on the public healthcare system due to financial difficulty and has been to a few different hospitals. His current state is time-sensitive as further damage to his spinal cord could result in permanent paralysis from his lower abdomen all the way to his feet. Unfortunately, working through the public healthcare system is a very slow process. An MRI is needed to see the exact extent of the fracture and determine the best course of action for treatment.

Patrick has been booked for an MRI twice at public hospitals, but it was rescheduled for unknown reasons on both occasions and it is currently booked for February 2024. As mentioned before, Patrick is in a very time-sensitive situation. The cost of the MRI in a private healthcare facility alone is expected to amount to around R15,000 and he would have to see both a GP and Neurosurgeon for consultation before he can even be referred for the MRI again.

It is almost certain that Patrick would need to have surgery to repair his spine, which would cost upwards from R200,000. He would also have to go through an extensive rehabilitation process to give him back some of his independence. He is not currently receiving any support in terms of a disability grant as he is not classified as permanently disabled for the time being.

Patrick is a bright young man with his whole life ahead of him. Your donation will contribute towards his medical expenses, day-to-day items such as diapers, a wheelchair to get around in, and completing school since he could only complete grade 9 due to complications from his injury.

Please donate your prayers, thoughts, advice, money, services, products or anything you can think of to help give Patrick and his family a brighter future.