A SHOW to raise funds for a promising young dancer to go to the US to undergo life saving brain surgery, will be held on Sunday, 19 February at Jubilee Hall, UKZN, with a matinee at 2.30pm and evening show at 6pm.
The I Dream variety show fundraiser will be an evening showcasing a star studded cast of song and dance, and all funds raised will go to help Andrea Pelzer’s family raise enough funds for her vital treatment.
“Andrea needs to be in Boston, USA by the end February to undergo life saving brain surgery. I encourage the community to get behind this incredible event. It may take a village to raise a child but it really is going to take a village to get her vital surgery in Boston. Buy a ticket and help save a beautiful future for this promising young dancer,” said Ann Boardman from the South African Society for the Advancement of Dancing (SASAD).
Andrea was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis type 2 in 2015. This disease causes tumor growth in the brain and spine. Although these tumors are slow growing, they cause damage to the nerve system when the pressure starts to build up.
Andrea has several brain and spinal tumors but the two most significant at the moment can cause hearing loss at any moment. She was due to have surgery in October to remove these, but a week before the operation she tested positive for Von Willebrand, a bleeding disorder that makes neurosurgery in South Africa risky and almost impossible.
“NF2 is very uncommon in South Africa and since Andrea also has Von Willebrand she has now been revered to doctors in America and Germany, as she will not be able to have neurosurgery in South Africa. Her other option at the moment is a chemo drug called Avastin, but that too is an American drug and not available in South Africa,” said Andrea’s mother, Christine.
Andrea will be meeting doctors in America at Boston Massgeneral Hospital on 28 February for a consultation to see how they can assist her and treat her to either remove the problematic tumors she has on her hearing nerves or to assist in her with finding a way to stop or minimize growth on the tumors. The trip is going to cost the family around R300 000, including flights, accommodation, doctors’ consultation fees and various tests and scans.
“As you can imagine, this is very costly. We as a family appeal to the public to assist us in making it possible to meet with these doctors and for Andrea to receive the surgery she might need to have in the next couple of months,” said Christine.
The fundraising show, one of the ways SASAD is trying to help one of their dancers, will include musical theatre, flamenco, comedy, tap, lyrical performances, belly dancing, Broadway performances, opera and kwaito. There will also be a secret silent auction of amazing items, individual table raffles and hampers.
Book tickets at R120 or R900 for a table of eight. The community can also donate a seat or table and be there in spirit!
Take your own snacks and refreshments.
Make deposits with your name and contact number and a reference into the account: Andrea Pelzer; Capitec, branch code: 470010; account number: 1245265758.
For enquiries, contact Ann Boardman on annboardman19@gmail.com or 082 898 8066.
