Little Bella needs your help in cancer fight
Speaking about the recent blood drive, she said 103 successful bleeds were collected and the turnout was wonderful.
THE community of Durban is on a mission to save a little girl’s life.
Katelyn Isabella Moodley from Seatides, who turns two in October, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in August.
The community, family and friends, together with Durban North SANBS and South African Bone Marrow Registry (SAMBR), in uMhlanga, held a blood donation and bone-marrow drive in Tongaat last week to find potential donors for little Bella.
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Speaking to Northglen News, Bella’s mom Vishanti Naidoo said the family is not sure what to expect as her daughter is a high-risk case due to other medical issues she has, but through it all, she remains positive and hopeful for a full recovery for her daughter.
“Bella was brought to hospital at the end of August when her oxygen saturation levels dropped. After an X-ray, it was discovered that she had pneumonia. Further blood testing revealed that she had acute myeloid leukemia. We are still awaiting further tests to confirm the sub-group and prognosis. The initiation phase of chemo started last Wednesday, and after seven days, we will receive results of how this has helped her,” said Naidoo.
Bella was born two months premature and spent the first month of her life in NICU. Two weeks after going home, she experienced heart failure and had successful open heart surgery at eight weeks old.
She was diagnosed with atonic seizures last September, and due to medication not preventing the seizures, which occur at any time, she is on a ketogenic diet.
An MRI then revealed that Bella also has an inverted hippocampus, cerebral atrophy and had a brain bleed at some point. She is non-verbal and communicates with some Makaton signs.
“Despite all of this, she is such a happy toddler and has all of us wrapped around her little finger. Her smile will melt your heart,” said Naidoo.
“We are worried about the impact of the chemo on her heart. There is a shortage of platelets, and we have had to wait to receive them at the hospital for transfusion. She will need many more transfusions, either daily or every few days, depending on her levels after testing,” she added.
“Bella’s blood group is O+, and we appreciate every person that donated and came out for bone-marrow swab testing. The bone-marrow testing is based on ethnic groups, and her chance of finding a match is 1 in 400 000,” said Naidoo.
She said she is currently awaiting dates for the next drive from the SANBS who have been very helpful.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has played such a vital role in assisting Bella. My family have put everything aside to start this campaign. Thank you to SANBS, SAMBR and the community for their involvement,” she said.
Bella’s next blood drive take place at Kantar Office in La Lucia Ridge on Tuesday, September 27 from 09:00 to 15:00.
The family has set up an account in Bella’s name for financial contributions, which can be made to:
ABSA Bank
Miss KI Moodley
Account number: 936 194 2287
Branch code: 632005
For more information, email bellascampaign2022@gmail.com or call:
Vishanti Naidoo: 081 573 4990
Duane Moodley: 068 589 6204
Vintasha Naidoo: 083 317 2163
