Parktown Boys’ High School pupil Matthew Martins is battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for the third time, and his mother Brenda Vorster is now looking to the community to help her 18-year-old son claim victory over his life-threatening disease.
Martins’ cancer started in 2013 and he now requires an urgent bone marrow donation from a willing community member. Lee-ann Louverdis of the Parktown North Residents’ Association has created a website to raise awareness about Martins’ cancer and is urging people to test if they are a bone marrow match.
“The reality is that we need to find a bone marrow match for Matthew within seven to 10 days. Please, please get tested so that we can increase his chance of winning the battle against cancer. The test is a simple procedure that requires the drawing of two vials of blood, nothing more,” explained Louverdis.
According to Louverdis, he continues to receive regular testing at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital where his blood cells will be regulated and new cancer cells monitored on a weekly basis. The test, however, revealed last week that Martins’ cancer cell count had increased drastically.
“He is such a wonderful academic and sporty person and still tries to fight off what he is going through, no matter how he is feeling,” said Louverdis.
A bone marrow test has been organised at the Pavilion on the sportsfield of Parktown Boys’ High School on 15 September from 11.30am to 5pm. Donor forms would be filled out with the assistance of qualified personnel from The Sunflower Fund. A donor number will then be ascribed to each individual.
Once blood tests are taken and a match is found, the donor is required to undergo a bone marrow test. The tests are performed at a nominal fee, however, the Sunflower Fund will opt to donate a percentage of payment for selected persons.
“His mother is a single mom and the Sunflower Fund has offered to assist in paying for testing, but they also rely on funding so we do not want to drain their funds,” explained Louverdis.
Martins played rugby and cricket, but since the onset of cancer, has had to give up his extramural activities. According to Louverdis, the Parktown Boys’ first team rugby beat Pretoria Boys High School for the first time in six years and Martins was so disappointed that he could not be part of this event because of his illness. Although his extramural activities have ceased, he now takes walks to try stay fit.
“Matthew has been a source of inspiration to many. To witness his quiet courage in the face of the adversity has been incredibly humbling. He lives in the now and lives every day to the fullest, and that is a lesson for everyone to take to heart,” said Louverdis.
It is important to note that all participants in the search for the perfect match, tested under the payment or donation by Sunflower Fund, will have their results submitted to the South African Bone Marrow Registry.
“Matthew, my loving boy, is a bright star in a dark sky. He is my inspiration and my sun, moon and stars. From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank everyone involved in trying to find a bone marrow match. I appeal to everyone to please get tested to find a match for my boy. We are living in positivity, and by grace, we will find a bone marrow donor for him,” said Vorster.
Details: info@matthewmartinsfund.co.za
