A family's plea for four-year-old son's life-saving kidney transplant
Zehaan Singh is in need of a kidneyy transplant
Image: Supplied
Four-year-old Zehaan Singh, a lively young boy filled with energy and curiosity, has endured the debilitating effects of chronic kidney disease, requiring a kidney transplant.
Zeehan, from Reservoir Hills, has suffered from kidney disease since birth.
At just five days old he underwent his first of many surgical procedures.
Zeehan's mum, Vashika Pillay, said 22 weeks into her pregnancy she was told fluid was building in the baby's kidneys.
"When Zeehan was born we were hoping he would have normal kidney function, but it was not the case. He was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and is on chronic medication daily.
"He has check-ups with a paediatric nephrologist every three months and undergoes monthly blood tests to check his kidney function. He hates being poked and examined. It is so traumatising for him and sad for us to watch him," she said.
She said her husband, Sashil Singh, is a match to donate his kidney to Zeehan.
"He is currently undergoing tests to ensure he is healthy and his kidneys are functioning normally.
"Zeehan's growth has been slow compared to children his age. It took him a long time to get to 13kg which is the required weight for a transplant," she said.
She said they have tried as hard as possible to allow Zeehan to live a normal life like other children his age.
"But it has been challenging as he cannot be around people who are ill due to infections. He has a special diet with no added salt. We examine the contents of every package to see the sodium content or we taste test before allowing him to eat.
"He is otherwise such an active child. He has also not started school yet because of his weak immune system," she said.
Zehaan Singh, with his parents Vashika Pillay and Sashil Singh
Image: Supplied
Two weeks ago Pillay started a crowdfunding campaign through Backabuddy to raise R250 000 to cover Zeehan's medical expenses for a kidney transplant.
Pillay, in her appeal said Zeehan has undergone several surgical procedures since birth to try to improve his kidney function, but unfortunately his kidneys were still failing and he required a kidney transplant this year.
"As a result of the kidney disease, Zeehan also has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low iron levels as well as low hemoglobin levels. At 15 months old, he developed Rickets and has been taking medication for that as well.
"My husband is a potential kidney donor, as he is still undergoing the necessary tests required to confirm if he can donate. During this period of the transplant, my husband and I will be out of work for approximately three months. We will need to keep Zeehan in isolation due to the extremely high risk of infection as a result of the strong immune-suppressant medication that he will be taking," wrote Pillay.
She added that following the surgery they will be away from work and without any income to pay for their expenses such as rent, utilities, food, fuel and medical expenses.
"We are appealing to the good Samaritans out there that are able and willing to kindly assist us in our time of need. All funds raised from the Backabuddy platform will be used for medical expenses that we are unable to cover, such as pre and post transplant tests, medication and other necessary requirements as well as covering our basic needs during the time we are unable to earn an income," wrote Pillay.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/zeehans-kidney-transplant