Ensuring ‘no shipmate gets left behind’
Plea to help Sea Cadet officer in need of urgent operation
THE Sea Cadets are not only active along beach shorelines or in the sea, they have inland branches as well.
Officer Commanding TS Springs (Gauteng), Lieutenant-Commander Chris Hand, initiated a project to assist a fellow Sea Cadet officer who was in need of an urgent life-changing operation. This initiative has been supported by the Sea Cadet organisation and an appeal has gone to all training ships, from cadets and friends of the Sea Cadets.
Second-Lieutenant Mike Taylor, 46, was diagnosed as a young man with cancer after contracting severe malaria. Over the years, he has had good times, and bad times.
As his cancer(s) have progressed, he has received various treatments, first through a private medical aid, and recently through government health services.
The past year has seen his disease progression worsen, said Lieutenant-Commander Glenn von Zeil, SA Naval Reserves.
With limited funds available to the state, they are unable to assist other than offer pain relief. In the past three months, Taylor’s condition has deteriorated and he’s in constant pain. After consulting with a pain specialist it was determined that an operation was required to sever certain nerve connections to his leg and groin areas to alleviate the pain.
Taylor, said Von Zeil had been an active adult officer instructor at TS Springs since 2017, where he has assisted in providing opportunities for new recruits and sharing his knowledge of nautical matters.
He has been a mentor and role model to at least 100 TS Springs Sea Cadets.
Despite his situation he has, during Covid-19, been actively involved in packing and delivering food parcels to Sea Cadet families from TS Springs.
Unfortunately, this type of operation can’t be performed by the state and the only hope is via a private procedure. His family are also without an income as his wife was forced to close her business due to Covid-19, said Von Zeil.
The cost of the operation is about R50 000 with another R15 000 for post-operative care. This operation will provide Taylor with an opportunity to continue to be a supportive husband and loving father of their two sons while continuing to contribute in a positive way towards maritime youth development.
All the funds will be paid directly to the hospital, surgeon, anaesthetist and other professional service providers.
“No shipmate shall be left behind. We are looking forward to seeing Sub-Lieutenant Mike Taylor back in action doing what he loves – mentoring and being a role model to the TS Springs Sea Cadets,” he added.
Anyone wanting to help should visit the TS Springs Facebook page or www.seacadets.za.org or “backabuddy” – Mike Taylor campaign.