FOLLOW-UP: Creating awareness for organ donors
Chi-Nelri was born with a medical condition known as familial hypercholesterolaemia, which is characterised by higher than normal levels of low-density lipoprotein (unhealthy) blood cholesterol in the body.
Chivon and Steve Smith, parents of Petit toddler Chi-Nelri Smith (3), are asking community members to get involved with organ donations.
The couple, along with representatives of the Organ Donation Foundation SA, will be hosting an organ donor campaign at Northmead Square on September 21.
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Chi-Nelri on the road to recovery
Chi-Nelri successfully underwent a living-donor liver transplant at the Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Parktown, Johannesburg, in April.
Chi-Nelri was born with a medical condition known as familial hypercholesterolaemia, which is characterised by higher than normal levels of low-density lipoprotein (unhealthy) blood cholesterol in the body.
The three-year-old underwent the procedure as the cholesterol count, which was life-threatening, resulted in a cardiac arrest last year.
Speaking to the City Times, Chivon said Chi-Nelri will be on anti-rejection medication following the transplant for the rest of her life.
“Prior to the transplant, Chi-Nelri suffered an aortic block due to the cholesterol that damaged her veins,” said Chivon.
“Currently her heart rate and blood pressure are both high.
“She is also on iron supplements besides all the other medication she is on because she also has an iron deficiency.
“Her magnesium levels are low, she has tummy pains and she is struggling to eat due to all the discomfort.
“We are constantly between the hospital and home and the medical aid does not cover a lot of the incurring costs.
“August was Organ Donor Month, but we thought we would continue the awareness campaign into this month as well.
“It is vital that people who are able to donate their organs become donors.
“We remember the difficulty we faced with finding a match for Chi-Nelri and do not want to see others experience that.
“We understand the plight, it was such a scary experience, and words cannot describe it.
“Steve and I are organ donors and we are encouraging others to become donors too.”
For more information about the awareness day and how to get involved contact Chivon on 071 333 5906.
