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Sunflower

Sunflower

Date: 2014-04-11
Robbie Eddles needs your help Mike and Colleen Eddles have an enviable family - three beautiful children and a picturesque home filled with lots of warmth and joy to go around. But the Eddles' were dealt a devastating blow in May 2008 when their youngest son, Robbie, who was only six years old at the time, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia after medical tests that ensued from a lump in Robbie's groin.

Robbie's arduous journey of treatment began and after months of intensive chemotherapy, much to the relief of his family and friends, Robbie went into remission. But in January 2014, the family were dealt a second blow following a routine MRI scan that confirmed that Robbie had relapsed and that the leukaemia had returned. Again his family and community went into shock and grappled with the reality of such a happy and healthy young boy who now faced a daunting road ahead.

A rising star in his school and community, Robbie typically loves spending time with his peers and pet Labrador Izzy as well as swimming, reading and honing his skills in PlayStation and Lego building. Currently he has to put that on hold as he undergoes the initial stages of his chemotherapy treatment at the newly established Capital Haematology Hospital in West Ridge, Durban.

Although Robbie is responding well to treatment and is currently in remission, his doctor has confirmed that he will need to undergo a life-saving bone marrow stem cell transplant. Neither of Robbie's older sisters has positively matched as a potential donor for him and the family will now turn to the South African Bone Marrow Registry to find an unrelated match. Statistically, the chances of a patient finding a match is 1:100 000 within their own ethnic group as the "markers" that are tested when searching for a match are genetically inherited.

The Sunflower Fund is the only organisation in South Africa that actively recruits, educates and raises funds to build the South African Bone Marrow Registry. It costs The Sunflower Fund R2000 to test the blood of every donor who joins the Registry and whilst donations toward the cost of the donor testing are appreciated and welcome, it is not mandatory. The Sunflower Fund engages in extensive fundraising to afford as many people as possible the opportunity of joining the Registry to directly give hope to patients.

If you are between the ages of 18 and 45, weigh over 50kgs with a BMI of <35 and have no history of sexually transmitted diseases, please consider becoming a bone marrow stem cell donor to help young patients like Robbie Eddles and others who are suffering from a life-threatening blood disorder. Simply contact The Sunflower Fund toll free 0800 12 10 82, weekdays between 8.30am and 4.30pm or visit https://www.sunflowerfund.org.za.