Benoni, Chi-Nelri needs your prayers and support

High cholesterol levels in any adult cause alarm for most individuals with the normal count of cholesterol being five.

Little Chi-Nelri Smith is just over two years old and has a cholesterol count of 26.

Her condition is known as familial hypercholesterolaemia is characterised by higher than normal levels of low-density lipoprotein (unhealthy) blood cholesterol in the body.

Chi-Nelri was born with a high cholesterol count that was genetically passed down to her from both parents.

She has already suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this year and is dependent on chronic medication for her survival.

The medication needed is expensive and medical professionals have advised she may need a liver transplant in the near future in order to survive on a daily basis.

For this reason, a golf day to raise funds for Chi-Nelri has been organised for August 29 at the Benoni Country Club.

The City Times spoke to Dr Quinten Koen, a general practitioner at the Medicross in Benoni, as well as Prof Frederick Raal (director Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism Research Unit, professor and head of division of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand) about the little girl.

Raal noted in his experience, Chi-Nelri’s case is rare and survival chances are very slim as patients as young as four years old die from familial hypercholesterolaemia.

“It is a lifelong condition.

“It’s not something like a cough or cold that can simply disappear.

“She will have to live on medication for as long as she is alive as there is no cure but only treatment available,” said Raal.

He also stated that in his experience patients with such a condition do not live longer than 30 years of age.

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Both medical professionals stated Chi-Nelri’s condition is rare and they are amazed that she is still going strong.

Her mother, Chivon Smith, said all she wants is for the community to pray for her daughter and stand by them.

Smith, who calls both her children her miracle babies, said her eldest child was born with various medical complications too but that with prayer and support the eldest, now seven, defied the odds.

She believes Chi-Nelri will follow in her sister’s footsteps in this way.

Smith told the City Times the condition has also affected Chi-Nelri’s eyesight and the medication (because of its strength) has started to eat away at her teeth.

Funds raised at the golf day will be used for Chi-Nelri’s treatments and possible liver transplant should she need it.

For details about the event or if you would like to make donations please contact Chivon Smith via email on chivonsmith@gmail.com or call her on 071 333 5906.

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