Emmanuels Chronic Kidney Disease Fight Campaign

Good day Everyone,

 

I am Emmanuel Classen, I am 38 years old and I have been married now for 12 years and we have a 10-year-old daughter.

 

I would like to tell you about my journey over the past few years fighting CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) stage 4/5. I was diagnosed in mid-2021 with stage 4 CKD, with a kidney function of 16 percent at the time. It was due to having high blood pressure for almost 8 years, and the medication I took led to my kidneys being affected by it. I was in and out by of local clinics with high blood pressure that continuously was over 250/170 every time and not one doctor or nurse ever thought to check my kidney function! Now, almost 3 years in with this disease, it progressed to stage 5 and I now have a kidney function of 3 percent. I was diagnosed at Tygerberg Hospital but they told me I am not approved to go onto their waiting list for a kidney transplant or to be referred to the dialysis unit because my heart was also affected. I was blatantly told they couldn't help me and that the best way forward for me was getting on medical aid. I was fortunate to get a permanent job at that same time, and they offered medical aid at the company. 

 

So now I have been on dialysis for the last 8 months after having to wait 12 months for the medical aid to kick in, so I can be able to use it to go on dialysis and this treatment is actually keeping me alive because my kidney function is still at 3 percent and should I ever lose my job or not be able to work anymore then I will not be able to pay for my medical aid to continue on dialysis treatment, I could die in a month (God forbid) if i don't receive dialysis. I have been in and out of hospital for the past 8 months, and every time I stayed for 1 week at a time, I was in the hospital again recently (30th August to 6th September 2023) for lung infection /pneumonia, contracted it while laying in ICU 2 weeks before this and because my body's immune system is giving in and I can feel my body not getting better, yes I am on dialysis 3days a week, and this is taking a toll on me, mentally and physically.

 

I am continuously tired, aches and pains throughout my body, and I am starting to feel like I won't be able to work any longer. And I am the main breadwinner in our family. I want to ask for your help with everyday necessities should the day come that I am going to need money to pay for my medical aid (which is R3300pm) so I can go on receiving dialysis and maybe one day be put on the transplant list to receive a kidney. 

 

I am not a person to ask for charity, I have always worked very hard for my family and still am. My wife does bring in a small salary but it's not enough to keep us afloat should I not be able to get a salary anymore because I don't know how much longer I will be able to go on working, the way I am feeling drained. 

 

I am asking for you all to help a fellow human being, and every cent makes a difference. I thank you in advance, and I ask God to bless each one who finds it in their hearts to help me. 

 

Thank you! 

 

Emmanuel Classen