Help Amanzimtoti teen’s cancer fight by funding PET scan
Help raise funds to cover costs for Sam’s medical management and treatment.
An Amanzimtoti teen urgently needs the community’s help in his battle with cancer. Samkelo Mzobe (16) slipped on the stairs at school in September and injured his knee.
He sought medical attention at a local state hospital, and consulted a private general practitioner, yet it took several months for doctors to determine something was seriously wrong with Sam’s right knee. He was in constant severe pain and eventually was almost bed-ridden.
Sam’s mother, Zanele persistently returned to the hospital to request further medical attention and care and it was on one of these visits, after spending the night sleeping in her car outside the hospital, that a doctor eventually ordered another X-ray of his knee and referred Sam to Albert Luthuli Hospital for further tests.
The results were frightening. Sam underwent a biopsy of a tumour in his right knee and was diagnosed with high-grade osteosarcoma in January. It was so serious that on Tuesday, 22 January Sam underwent an above-knee amputation. The operation was successful and he was discharged to recover at home on 31 January.
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However, after a CT and MRI scan, the doctors confirmed that the cancer had spread to his lungs. Once the oncology surgeon is able to review further scans with other specialists based at the hospital, they will decide on how to manage his treatment.
Due to delays within the South African state healthcare system, they have not been able to do a full PET CT scan in order to determine if the cancer has in fact spread into his bones or other organs in his body. Intensive chemotherapy is due to follow but there are long waiting lists and the grade 10 pupil will only be able to start chemotherapy in March. In the meantime he has commenced treatment to prepare him for chemotherapy.
Zanele is a single mother who works tirelessly to provide for her family. Sam’s school Kingsway High has been very supportive, visiting him in hospital and following his progress. For the time being Sam will not be able to return to school and is keen to be home-schooled, so that he does not lag behind in his education.
“Our aim and our plea is for the Amanzimtoti community to help us raise funds to cover costs for his medical management and treatment. That includes an initially PET CT scan, which costs about R33,000, and a good prothesis,” said Heather Tait, who is spearheading the fundraising.
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“Sadly, there is a complete breakdown in the oncology services at hospitals in South Africa and the chance of a PET CT scan being done is zero, so we have to raise funds for Sam to go to a private oncologist. He urgently needs the PET CT scan before the commencement of chemotherapy in order to determine the stage of his disease. Every little drop helps to fill a bucket and any assistance that can be provided will be greatly appreciated by him, his family and friends.”
Use the following bank details to make a donation towards Sam’s treatment: Capitec Bank, VL Jensen (administrator), account number: 1624541699, branch code: 470010. Use your cellphone number as a reference, so the family can acknowledge receipt and thank donors.
