Family needs R1.5m for son’s cancer treatment

The Melrose family’s mother, Odette Naude, said her 25-year-old son Justin and his fiancée were set to get married on 15 February 2014. However, she said Justin had just been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for the third time. Odette said, “The doctors are now calling it ‘Recurrent Hodgkin’s Lymphoma’, an incurable strain of cancer. His oncologist has given him eight months to live but has started him on chemo[therapy], which has a success rate of only 50%, to try and prolong his life.” Naude added that Justin and the family remain hopeful.

His sister, Ashley, said a new drug, Brentuximab Vedotin (SGN-35) ,which was registered in 2011 in the USA after clinical trials with a high success rate, was developed specifically for patients like Justin. She stated that because the drug is not registered in South Africa, medical aid would not pay for it. “We urgently need to import the medication so that Justin’s oncologist can administer it to him.”

Naude said the cost involved in importing this drug was R1.5 million.

Ashley said, “You will never know how to deal with these things but you can’t be weak, we have to be strong for him and try to help him in any manner,”.

Justin was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December 2010, and after numerous chemotherapy treatments and a stem cell transplant, he was finally cleared and said to be in remission.

However, Odette said two months ago, four tumours were found in his neck and one in the left side of his groin, which were malignant.

She said, “After thorough testing, the prognosis was an incurable strain of cancer.”

Two fundraising events have been arranged to help raise money for Ibbetson’s treatment: an event at the Keg in Linksfield on 30 November.

Details: Odette Naude, 083 450 8857

Account: Justin Ibbeston Cancer Fund

Standard bank

Sandton Branch

Account number: 223 925 993

Business Savings Account

Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ