Baby Caylum is going to Boston!

Another fantastic Friday for baby Caylum, courtesy of 947 and its listeners.

October 7, 2016

SHERNOVIA REDDY 3 minutes read

ALL SMILES: Baby Caylum is happy that he is on his way to Boston!

WITH the continued support of 947 and Darren ‘Whackhead’ Simpson, the Caylum Willemse Foundation collected a total of R1.5 million in only 55 minutes.

https://twitter.com/WhackheadS/status/784289029671882752

Darren Simpson and 947 heeded the public’s call in August this year to help Caylum and has made a remarkable difference to Caylum’s road to recovery. Since then Simpson decided to do a follow-up with Samantha and Wayne Willemse (parents of baby Caylum).

According to Samantha, Brenda (from the team of Dr Glenn Staples) has accepted the quote from Boston and they are all currently waiting for a date to send Caylum to the States. The foundation was previously sitting on approximately R4 million and following this morning’s interview, there is now enough to get Caylum to Boston!

Caylum was born on January 12, 2016 and was diagnosed with TOF and OA by Netcare’s Dr Charles Caraphinha, and later diagnosed with tracheobronchomalacia. A child who has a problem with the oesophagus (the feeding tube) and the trachea (the windpipe) is said to be suffering from tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) and oesophageal atresia (OA).

The fistula is a connection between the trachea and the oesophagus, which may lead to problems with breathing. An atresia means that there is no way for food to pass into the stomach, due to the gap between the upper and the lower parts of the oesophagus.

MUST READ: Donations flock for baby Caylum after 947 Breakfast Express steps in

Caylum has been in hospital since March 20 and in ICU since May 9. He has gone for an aortopexy for the tracheamalacia and still has recurring episodes where he stops breathing. Living in Meyersdal, the couple tracked down Doctor Rusty Jennings, from Boston, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, the estimated costs involved in getting Caylum this help is approximately $500 000.

On the previous call from 947, Dr Glenn Staples called in to the show saying they specialise in these cases and would be able to help the couple cut the costs of the procedure in Boston by 30 per cent to 60 per cent, inclusive of hospital costs, air ambulance and so on.

After 947 stepped in for the second time, Samantha and Wayne were both left astounded after the one hour and 20 minutes on air.

Speaking to the RECORD outside the Clinton hospital on the parking lot benches under the trees, the Willemses expressed their heartfelt thanks and gratitude for every donation, big or small, from everyone who has pledged their support thus far.

“We have already found our next baby to help with the amount of funds we are receiving,” said the ecstatic 29-year-old mother.

The couple found it difficult to speak once the pledges started rolling in from the time they went on air earlier this morning (Friday, October 7). Apart from Bidvest donating R500 000, Caylum received donations from individuals who have pledged to donate R500 000 and R200 000 respectively. According to Wayne Willemse, DHL Global has also pledged to support Caylum.

“Caylum’s Facebook page received over 100 likes in just 10 minutes this morning and we believe that pledges are still streaming in although it’s not being aired. We were sure to have our phones and battery packs fully charged for the interview, not knowing it was going to be an hour and 20 minutes,” laughed Wayne.

The Willemses are also grateful to Juiced Co and Daily Dish for sending them food for about three months now.

Justin Robert from Sign Wonder in Alberton made a statement to help #GetCaylumToBoston by branding approximately 35 cars in total with Caylum messages. Samantha added that a family in Austria has also donated about R100 000 to Caylum.

You had better keep listening to 947 on Monday morning when Darren is expected to thank all those who have helped get Caylum to Boston. A follow-up will be done when a date has been set for Caylum’s trip to Boston.