Event for kidney disease sufferer postponed due to Covid-19
Third event officially confirmed to be postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The first organ and tissue donation awareness 5km walk for a kidney disease sufferer scheduled to take place in Mohlakeng on Saturday, 28 March has been postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Tsheko Ngakane, 38, from Mohlakeng has been battling with kidney disease for seven years.
“Due to the recent developments regarding the world-wide Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent announcement by our President, the organisation has decided to postpone the event until further notice,” said Mamolifi Christina Ngakane, Greatness of Life Foundation (GOL) director.
“We have taken this decision to ensure the safety of all participants, the reputation of our sponsors and the community at large. Let us practice good hygiene and constantly wash our hands,” she said.
Tsheko’s battle with kidney disease:
“The fight hasn’t been easy but with the support of my family, there is hope,” Tsheko said.
According to the Kidney Foundation of South Africa, 10 per cent of all people in the world have some form of kidney disease. Tsheko said he never realised that he suffered from high blood pressure. At age 32, he was shocked to find out that he had an incurable kidney disease.
“I would vomit a lot and get tired often. I could not walk a long distance because I would get tired before I reached my destination. In most cases I would sweat a lot and have headaches as well,” he said.
Tsheko said since his diagnosis, a lot has changed in his life.
“I am no longer the man I used to be. My performance at work has dropped and I cannot travel long distances unless I organise dialysis. I seldom pass urine and if I do, it would be just two drops. I follow a special diet and cannot eat everything I crave. Water is my worst enemy, I have to drink less than a litre a day.”
In conclusion he said that he is responding very well to dialysis treatment, which he undergoes three times a week.
“All in all it is hard but I believe everything starts in the mind. Once you start accepting your situation then your body begins to respond well. I manage to stay positive through the support of my family, especially my wife Mamolifi Christina Ngakane, who is very supportive.”
