Dreams live on
FOURWAYS – After battling osteosarcoma and losing his left leg to amputation, Kyle Nhlapo needs help to afford his treatment so that he can move forward to a bright future.
In December 2017, his knee still hurt after a small knock from weeks earlier. In January last year, he was diagnosed with cancer and in April this year, his entire left leg was amputated.
But Kyle Nhlapo believes he’s been given a second chance and wants to use it to make a difference.
Kyle is 20 years old and matriculated from Fourways High School in 2016. He was studying information technology and looking forward to learning to code in his second year of tertiary education when he got the worst news of his life: Osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, had developed in his left leg.
Kyle is appealing to the community to help him and his family cover the costs for his medical treatment so he can move forward with his life.
“In November 2017, I was getting into a taxi and I bumped my knee. By December, I was still in so much pain and by January [2018], I began limping,” he said to the Fourways Review.
“First they took an X-ray, and eventually the results of the biopsy came back and it was cancerous.”
His treatment began last year March. Beginning with chemotherapy, Kyle and his mom Beulah also tried an alternative treatment, but nothing worked to stop the very aggressive form of cancer.
On 25 April this year, a surgeon removed his left leg to save his life.
“They dislocated my hip and removed from there,” Kyle explained.
“The operation was successful, and I am now cancer-free.”
Kyle’s new life, however, comes with challenges. The young man now uses crutches to move around, and he’s had to learn how to do so many things, even simple tasks like making his bed, in a new way.
Perhaps the biggest challenge though is funding his medical care, despite help from the public.
On 25 May, a fundraising quiz night was held at the Rivonia Recreation Club and managed to raise about
R40 000 towards his care.
Kyle explained, “We need to be able to pay for my prosthesis, rehabilitation, occupational therapy and the medical bills.
“I have to adapt [to how things are now], I need to get my mind back up.”
He added, “But I’m grateful for this second chance, as so many people don’t get one. My dreams for the future are to open up my own foundation, which will provide support and awareness for other people and families going through the same thing.”
Kyle concluded, “I also want to become a motivational speaker and share my story with others.”
To make a donation or to find out more, you can visit www.afightforsurvival.co.za or you can email Kyle at kylem.nhlapo@gmail.com or call 076 507 9055.
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