Help Riley Beat Hirschprungs Disease

By: Riley Pedersen
Short URL: https://archive.backabuddy.co.za/riley-pedersen-5846840404713509510
Date Created: 25 February 2024

Funds Raised:
R 111 303

Fundraising Target:
R 200 000

Personal message

I'm Riley's mom, Amy, and this campaign is to raise funds to pay for his medical expenses. Riley is 10 months old and we live in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Our beautiful boy, Riley Jayce, was born with Hirschprung's disease. This is a congenital birth defect where the nerves in the rectum and colon are missing, and it means that he could not poop. After a lengthy hospital admission, Riley had his first surgery at 6 weeks old. During this operation they removed the diseased part of his colon (he had 20cm of functioning colon) and created a colostomy. Riley then spent the next 6 months with a stoma bag.

When he was 7.5 months old he had his reversal and pull-through surgery. There were lots of complications which lead to a 3 weeks ICU stay with two more theatre procedures until he was well enough to come home.

After being discharged, however, Riley struggled for 7 weeks with chronic diarrhoea, having absolutely no bowel control. This had a massive impact on his quality of life. Our medical team was unable to help us any further in PE and told us to just wait for it to get better.

But we could not carry on watching our little boy in so much agony and doing so unwell, so we sought out specialist help in JHB. After a drastic turn of events, we got on the next flight and were admitted to hospital for Riley's 3rd surgery.

The plan was to investigate what was causing the issues, see if there was something wrong with his colon because it was not absorbing fluids, and then create an Ileostomy to provide relief from the constant diarrhoea. Nothing prepared us for what we were told after his surgery.

When the surgeons came out they told us that Riley has NO colon. The 20cm of healthy colon could not be found in his abdomen, and his Ileum had been connected to his anus. After investigation it was discovered that Riley's colon had been 'accidentally' removed during his previous surgery. This was a massive shock to us.

We are now in JHB, with our 10 month old in hospital, and we don't know what the journey ahead looks like. We are drowning in medical debt from all the hospital admissions, surgeries and medical costs that we've accumulated along the way.

Riley now has an Ileostomy which will require more stoma bags, care, and follow-up visits to his new medical team in JHB. My husband, Gray, has done everything humanly possibly to provide for us, but I have not been able to return to work so we are just barely holding it together. To date we have sold countless belongings and made massive life changes to pay for our son's medical needs. We have sacrificed so much for him and will continue to do so until he is well.

We are asking for your help so that we can continue paying off all the shortfalls we keep facing with our medical aid. Up until now we've had to take out personal loans and credit to cover the extra medical costs, and it is no longer sustainable.

When we finally make it home, we have to continue to works with a team of specialists (dieticians, feeding therapists, OT's, surgeons) while Riley has an Ileostomy.

We thought Riley's struggles were over when he had his pull-through surgery. We could never have imagined ending up here and finding out that we had to take a step backwards and go back to a stoma bag.

The impact of raising these funds will be monumental. We have been drowning for a very long time and the financial pressure on top of everything else that is happening is extremely crippling. Funds raised will be used to pay off previous debt accumulated to cover medical shortfalls, upcoming medical bills from his latest surgery, and to pay the future fees of his specialist care once we are back in Port Elizabeth.

Please help us so we can ensure Riley receives the very best care and treatment possible.

UPDATE: We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve received! We completely underestimated how many people would donate, and we are so very grateful and blessed.

We want to keep the campaign open, so we’re going to raise the target so that donations will still be accepted. No contribition is too small. Every cent will allow us to save and plan for all the upcoming expenses, short and long-term.

The funds raised so far will be allocated for outstanding medical bills and debt that we’ve acquired from Riley’s previous surgeries and admissions.

Thank you so much for the incredible support for our Smiley Riley.

Donations

Mar 05, 2024 - USD $ 49.70 Fees covered
"God is good" - Anonymous

Mar 05, 2024 - R 3 000.00
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you all." - Anonymous

Mar 03, 2024 - R 5 000.00 Fees covered
"Wishing all the best for Riley. Stay strong!" - Simon and Michelle

Mar 03, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Mar 03, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love Emil and Julie-Anne" - Anonymous

Mar 03, 2024 - USD $ 58.35 Fees covered
"" - Friends of the Twiggs

Mar 02, 2024 - R 2 876.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Mar 01, 2024 - USD $ 108.05 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Mar 01, 2024 - USD $ 23.35 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Mar 01, 2024 - R 2 350.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Mar 01, 2024 - R 499.77 Fees covered
"Praying that God will guide the doctors in their treatment of little Riley and give strength to his family in this difficult time." - Delene

Mar 01, 2024 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
"Riley you are in our prayers🙏Ilona" - Anonymous

Feb 29, 2024 - USD $ 112.07 Fees covered
"You three are doing such a great job! Hang in there ❤️" - Mieke, Sam and Finn

Feb 29, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"Praying for Riley🙏🏾" - Melody

Feb 29, 2024 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Ken & Sim

Feb 28, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"Keep your eyes on Jesus. I pray He Carrie’s you and that something incredibly amazing comes out of all this traumatic drama." - Anonymous

Feb 28, 2024 - USD $ 14.16 Fees covered
"We continue to pray for a miracle Amy, Gray and Riley. You just never know... do you? God is good and faithful 🙏 thank you for sharing your journey with us all." - Anonymous

Feb 28, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"Your strength and faith is inspirational" - Anonymous

Feb 28, 2024 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
"You are in our prayers!" - Anonymous

Feb 28, 2024 - R 500.00
"" - Anonymous

Feb 28, 2024 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 28, 2024 - R 5 000.00 Fees covered
"Much love to all of you." - Anonymous

Feb 28, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 28, 2024 - USD $ 56.65 Fees covered
"Beautiful baby- what a sweet smile. May your family find strength and blessings" - Anonymous

Feb 28, 2024 - R 1 300.00
"God Bless" - Anonymous

Feb 27, 2024 - USD $ 28.04 Fees covered
"God bless you all at this time. With much love xx" - Anonymous

Feb 27, 2024 - R 250.00
"" - Bas & Jill

Feb 27, 2024 - USD $ 56.08 Fees covered
"Prayers for you guys!!" - Ian & Bron

Feb 27, 2024 - R 1 000.00
"" - Anonymous

Feb 27, 2024 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
"Thinking of you. And sending love and strength. From fellow hirschprungs parents and fighter baby Jeff. You can do this Riley." - Anonymous

Feb 27, 2024 - R 200.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 27, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"" - Peters Family

Feb 27, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 27, 2024 - R 400.00 Fees covered
"My heart is moved with compassion as I am a parent and grandparent and I can imagine the anguish that you and your family are experiencing.Our God is a God of miracles! Believing with you for a breakthrough miracle and a good outcome for Riley!" - Anonymous

Feb 27, 2024 - R 925.50 Fees covered
"I pray for you all" - Anonymous

Feb 27, 2024 - R 1 000.00
"Trusting for a miracle for smiley Riley !" - Anonymous

Feb 27, 2024 - USD $ 28.04 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 27, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - USD $ 111.86 Fees covered
"Sending love and good vibes from Kenya 🇰🇪💙" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - USD $ 27.96 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 1 000.00
"Sending all my love. -Chloe" - Chloe Taylor

Feb 26, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"Keeping fighting Smiley-Riley. You are so loved sweet boy." - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"Praying for a full recovery and strength for you all." - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - USD $ 32.42 Fees covered
"Riley you’re an absolute champion. You have so many people rooting for you who adore you. Keep on believing in the greater good, keep on fighting and keep holding onto the glimmers of hope. Thinking of you all and sending love and strength" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"Father, I pray for a supernatural healing in Riley’s body. I thank you that by your stripes we are healed. I pray for your hand of protection for this precious boy and comfort his family in this time." - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 100.00 Fees covered
"Dear Lord, I pray for strength and healing for this baby and his family." - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - USD $ 55.93 Fees covered
"praying for you🙏🏻" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - USD $ 27.96 Fees covered
"Thinking and praying for all of you" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"Praying for your beautiful family 🙏" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - USD $ 55.93 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"God always provides - sending prayers your way x" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Brendan and Linda

Feb 26, 2024 - USD $ 83.89 Fees covered
"Sending love and strength to you and your beautiful little boy!" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 1 200.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 5 000.00 Fees covered
"May God give you strength and courage. Know that he is with you always and sees the amazing parents that you are to Riley. We're praying for you and sending our love." - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 26, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - USD $ 486.23 Fees covered
"Dear Amy & Gray Our love and prayers are with you in this hard place! Wayne & Linda" - Twigg's

Feb 25, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - USD $ 28.01 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"Praying for healing for your baby boy and strength to you both for the journey ahead." - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 200.00 Fees covered
"Praying for a full recovery ❤️‍🩹" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"We are praying for you and your beautiful boy. 💙" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 1 500.00 Fees covered
"Sending love and strength to the whole family ❤️" - Shann

Feb 25, 2024 - R 1 500.00 Fees covered
"Praying for you two and Smiley-Riley. You guys are such great parents, love you guys xx" - Matt & Michelle

Feb 25, 2024 - USD $ 112.03 Fees covered
"Praying for you all! Please keep us updated." - Chanelle Wansbury

Feb 25, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"Praying for a miracle." - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"I have tears in my eyes as I read this. Love and prayers to all the family." - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"Praying for Gods peace to dwell in your hearts in this challenging season. Keep going, you are doing such an incredible job ❤️" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 250.00 Fees covered
"Have been praying regularly for you all" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
"May God meet you guys in the hardest places and get you through it 🙏 lots of love to you brave parents." - Jacqui

Feb 25, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"" - Mark

Feb 25, 2024 - R 2 000.00
"" - Anonymous

Feb 25, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"We continue to pray for Riley and you both 🙏🏼🙏🏼" - Mariette

Feb 25, 2024 - R 10 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Shane

Statistics

Fundraising target

R 200 000.00

Donations to date