Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Toddler needs R5.1m for treatment
THREE-year-old Keanu Moore needs help to get treatment overseas for stage four neuroblastoma cancer.
The Brackenfell boy, who recently celebrated his third birthday in hospital while he received a stem cell transplant, needs R5.1 million for treatment in Spain.
“Neuroblastoma cancer treatment is not available here in South Africa, it is only available in America and Europe. We plan to go to Spain in September for his treatment,” said Keanu’s mother Colette van de Giessen
“We have managed to raise R3.1 million through the #Cure4Keanu campaign so far, which is great since we only started this in December.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped.
“We are hoping we can reach the full amount, though.
“The treatment is crucial to reduce the 60% chance of relapse. The survival rate for relapsed neuroblastoma patients is less than 5%,said Van de Giessen.
“We need to take him overseas to receive immunotherapy to increase his life expectancy from 40% to 60%. Every percentage is worth fighting for.”
Keanu was diagnosed last year on October 13.
He had two tumours, multiple bone lesions and his bone marrow showed a 65% infiltration of neuroblastoma cells.
Since his diagnosis he has received a stem cell transplant, high doses of chemo injected together with healthy stem cells and open chest surgery to try to remove all the tumours.
“Our son Keanu was just like any other 2- year- old toddler, one big bundle of energy, jumping, running and throwing tantrums,” said Van de Giessen.
She said her worst night- mare had come true on October 2.
Keanu had started limping, but they had thought it was nothing serious as he might have just bumped his foot.
But by October 4 his pain had worsened and he had to be taken to the emergency room.
“He was admitted immediately as the doctors thought he might have septic arthritis and was rushed to surgery the following day to drain his hip of fluid.
“The orthopedic surgeon was puzzled as the fluid was clear and there was not much of a build-up.
“Keanu then developed an extremely high fever, which didn’t subside with treatment.
“At this stage, I would never have imagined that ‘the monster’ was lurking in his little body,” said Van de Giessen on the #Cure4Keanu website.
“Most important of all, I have learned through this that I will never complain about anything again.
“Everything else in life is insignificant compared with having to fight for your only child’s life,” she said.
To donate and for more information see www. cure4keanu.co.za.
shanice.naidoo@inl.co.za