Online Reporter
Takunda Gambiza-Herald Reporter
A Norton family is appealing for urgent financial assistance of about US$34 000 to enable 21-year-old Tadiwanashe Mugeyi, who is battling stage five kidney failure, to get a life-saving kidney transplant.
His mother, Ms Elizabeth Mushonga, said Tadiwanashe was born with kidney complications, but the condition was only diagnosed when he was seven years old.
For years, he managed the illness with medication.
However, his condition deteriorated in November last year while he was studying Agriculture at Chibero College in Norton, Mashonaland West.
“Last year in November, Tadiwanashe seriously got very sick and became weak. His legs were hurting,” Ms Mushonga said.
Medical tests showed that his kidneys were no longer responding to medication and that he urgently needed dialysis.
Tadiwanashe was admitted to hospital on December 12 and got a permanent catheter before beginning treatment.
“The doctor said dialysis works for life unless he gets a kidney transplant,” she said.
Tadiwanashe now undergoes dialysis twice a week at a cost of about US$70 per session, excluding additional medication.
Doctors have also indicated that he has low blood levels, requiring what his mother described as an “apple injection” — an additional US$30 per session — to boost his blood.
Ms Mushonga said Tadiwanashe cannot afford to miss any sessions, as doing so could be fatal.
“Skipping a session is a risk because the waste will be accumulating and increasing, so we are not allowed to skip, whether we have money or not,” she said.
Efforts to secure a suitable kidney donor are ongoing, with his 19-year-old sister offering to donate.
The family has consulted a specialist in India and they have been offered an estimated treatment package of about US$34 000.
A total of US$12 500 will go towards the transplant procedure, with US$2 500 required to assess his bladder. If further complications are detected, additional surgery could cost between US$4 000 and US$10 000.
“If they do not find any problems, we will go straight to the transplant,” Ms Mushonga said.
She is now appealing to well-wishers for financial assistance to give her son a second chance at life.
“I am appealing to the Zimbabwean family to assist us in saving my son’s life,” she said.
Those willing to assist can donate via EcoCash on +263 785 140 404 or deposit into CBZ Bank, Samora Machel branch, account number 12661489310021.
Donations can also be made through the family’s GoFundMe campaign: https://gofund.me/fc922e1c8
