East boy urgently needs operation

A 'normal' bone marrow transplant is not possible in his case.

Noxolo Sibiya

April 20, 2018

Gidion Reynders gives a "thumbs up" while in hospital. Photo: Provided

A Pretoria east boy with a rare genetic disorder urgently needs an operation in the United States if he is to survive.

Nine-year-old Gidion Du Toit was born with Fanconi Anemia (FA), a disorder that causes fatal bone marrow failure and his condition has recently deteriorated to the point that medication is no longer effective and thus needs a bone marrow transplant.

A “normal” bone marrow transplant is, however, not possible in Gidion’s case.

“Children living with Fanconi Anemia won’t survive such an operation,” said his mother, Tuschka Reynders.

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Gidion would have to be shipped abroad to a specialist centre for the transplant since there were only four such facilities in the world.

The family would need an estimated R6 million to cover Gidion’s medical costs, Reynders told Rekord.

“We are trying all avenues to raise funds but we are fighting against time, ” she said.

“Gidion is deteriorating and must go to the US as soon as a donor is found.”

In January Gidion complained of a severe headache and the cause turned out to be a brain bleed.

Reynders, who is a dietician, said they didn’t expect Gidion to survive.

“His low platelet count should’ve caused him to bleed to death,” she told Rekord.

Bone marrow is responsible for the production of all blood cells: red blood cells carry oxygen, platelets that regulate blood clotting and all immune cells.

“This means that Gidion has a deficit in all these areas, affecting his health in many ways.”

But despite all his health setbacks, Reynders described him as “a brave and joyful child who was born a fighter”.

“From the moment he took his first breath, he started to fight for his life.

He loves sport when he’s allowed to play – in cautious moderation,” said Reynders.

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“Although he is aware that he has a fatal disease, he’s completely oblivious to it and lives every day to the full with his trusty sidekick cat, Zazu.”

Anyone interested in helping Gidion with his medical expenses, can donate at: https://www.youcaring.com/gidiondutoit-1135579