EAST Londoner Mary Marais is desperately seeking a kidney donor as her condition has deteriorated to end-stage renal disease since being diagnosed in 2015.
She has stage five kidney failure, which is end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 15 ml/min or less.
At this advanced stage of kidney disease, the kidneys have lost nearly all their ability to do their job effectively, and eventually dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed to live.
The 60-year-old goes for dialysis three times a week and to work three times a week because she still needs to pay for medical aid.
“My kidneys are so small now, they have shrunk even in size.
“I have to go on dialysis three times a week at four hours a day to continue living,” Marais said.
“I can still live on dialysis but it puts everything else on hold. It is something I have to live with.
“But if I get a donor, I will get to get on with my life.
“Sometimes I look at my grandson and think, will I ever see him turn 21.
“However, I don’t let this pull me back. On days I feel okay, I get on with my day,” she said.
Her daughter, Laken Marais said due to her condition deteriorating, her mother urgently needed a kidney transplant before the dialysis could no longer help her.
“She is in an O+ blood type group.
“Unfortunately none of our immediate family members are a match and therefore we plead with the public to help us,” Laken said.
She said most people are not aware that they can live with one kidney.
Mary’s husband, Clive Marais said he was hoping for a miracle donor.
“She is such a good person.
“She can never say no [to others].
“People who know us will agree with me.
“She has helped so many people in the past; can we get at least one person who can be a miracle to our family, please. I don’t know what I would do without her,” Clive said.
Mary mentioned that she is still not on the donor list as her medical aid has not written an authorisation letter to put her on the list.
“They need to send the letter so I can be on the list,” she said.
Laken can be reached on 083-975-4668 if you want to assist Mary.
