Thirteen-year-old Nyakallo Mazibuko’s life changed dramatically when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) last year, but with a matching stem cell donor found, his full recovery now depends on the East London community helping his family raise the funds needed for the transplant co-payment.
AML is a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow and eventually spills into the bloodstream where it spreads to other parts of the body, including the brain and spinal cord.
For Nyakallo, what started as repeated sore throats and unexplained fatigue quickly escalated into a devastating diagnosis in November 2024.
Thereafter, he was admitted to St Dominic’s Hospital for grueling rounds of chemotherapy that were unsuccessful.
His only hope for survival now is the stem cell transplant that is his family can’t afford to pay for.
His mother, Thokozile Mvambo, said the family’s lives changed completely when Nyakallo was diagnosed.
She said: “He had a sore throat repeatedly for about two months, lost his appetite, and dropped a lot of weight in a short space of time. He was sick every week and just wanted to sleep. He even stopped playing soccer with his friends.
“At first, I thought he was being bullied at school but when we went to the hospital, we heard the cancer diagnoses and we couldn’t believe it.”
Since then, the family has lived under a dark cloud, praying every day for his healing, especially as the effects of the chemotherapy took their toll.
“The chemo was horrible. Nyakallo cried uncontrollably. Sometimes they had to give him something to calm him down. Watching your child suffer like that is heartbreaking,” his mother said.
The news of a donor being found brought a glimmer of hope, but this is threatened by the possibility that the family will not be able to pay for the transplant procedure, scheduled for August 12.
With only basic medical aid for a family of five, the hospital bills are piling up.
“My husband is the only breadwinner and now we’re facing a co-payment of R15,000 for the transplant which will happen at the Netcare Pretoria East Hospital,” she said.
“We don’t know where we’ll stay or how we’ll afford transport to Pretoria. Nyakallo needs to be there for six weeks in hospital, then three more months of recovery, visiting the hospital twice a week. “We have no clue who is going to look after him in Pretoria, how and where. We’re terrified, but we know this transplant is his only chance.”
Despite the odds, Nyakallo continues to show extraordinary courage.
He recently spent time in ICU after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a blood transfusion.
“His face was swollen, and he couldn’t breathe. I thought he was going to die. But he fought his way back. He’s a brave boy.”
Globally, about 429,000 children under 19 are diagnosed with cancer every year, and more than 80% of them live in low- and middle-income countries.
In these regions, childhood cancer has become a leading cause of mortality, with acute leukaemia being the most common.
While acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) accounts for about 80% of paediatric leukaemia cases, AML represents roughly 15-20%, making it rarer, but much more difficult to treat.
Each year, about 20,000 children in these countries are diagnosed with AML.
Treatment is further challenged by limited access to essential resources such as antibiotics, blood products, isolation facilities, and intensive care units.
Without these, survival rates remain low, and treatment abandonment, when families stop care due to cost, distance, or hopelessness is a leading cause of treatment failure.
Organisations such as the Choc Childhood Cancer Foundation SA are stepping in to fill the gaps.
Choc East London regional manager, Juliet Houghton, said the foundation provided critical support to families, from diagnosis through to recovery, including transport, accommodation, meals, and counselling.
“AML is rare but very aggressive,” she said. “Treatment often means six months in hospital, away from home, school, and loved ones.
“We help ease the pressure by offering free accommodation, nutritional support, counselling, and a Carebag with essentials.”
Nyakallo’s family is appealing to the public for assistance with the R15,000 transplant co-payment, as well as funds for accommodation, transport, and medication.
To support him on his journey, visit the Back-A-Buddy website and search for ‘Let’s Save Nyakallo’.
To support Choc, call 043-748-5315 or email el@choc.org.za.
