Before I Die

by Helen Ward

"Hi my name is Helen Ward; I’m 20 years old and live in Cape Town South Africa. At the age of six I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. I’ve always tried to live life to the full but unfortunately my lungs don’t quite agree. They have become very temperamental lately and these days I spend a lot of my time tied to an oxygen machine.

I have many dreams in life; my biggest is to have a lung transplant so that I can take in a lung full of air without a struggle. I want to know what it feels like to laugh without coughing and to run and breathe at the same time. I want to show others the kindness I’ve been shown in life. I want to live to see my ten year high school reunion. I want to go overseas, I want to write a book, I want to climb a mountain, I want to hike and enjoy the scenery without having to gasp for air. I guess what I’m really saying is: before I die, I want to live.

Unfortunately these operations are very expensive and my family is not in a very good financial position. But I refuse to give up hope because it’s all I’ve got left. This is why I’m writing to you. I wanted to ask if there is anything at all you could do to help me?"

About Lung Transplants

Increasingly, cystic fibrosis patients with severe, irreparable lung damage turn to lung transplantation surgery. Although complications with transplantation surgery may pose problems for some patients, lung or combination heart and lung transplants provide nearly 80% of cystic fibrosis patients with severe lung damage an entirely new lease on life.

About Turning Points

Turning Points’ mission is to assist children and young people where a dire need has been identified; where the chance to make a difference can turn their lives around and open the door to the enhancement of their futures.

Turning Points is a registered charity (non-profit organisation) Registration. No 031-730-NPO. Chairperson: Lydia Goldswain

The Helen Ward Project

The Helen Ward Project has been identified as a turning point for this young girl, as over the years, repeated lung infections have caused Helen’s lung functions to decline to a serious degree, requiring more frequent hospitalisation for aggressive intravenous antibiotic treatment and intensive physiotherapy.
During 2007, her health declined quite alarmingly. Since May 2007, she has needed oxygen for 12 hours a day. Helen is now in what doctors refer to as “end stage lung disease.” Her condition is dire, and unless she is able to receive a lung transplant, her prognosis is terminal.
Without your help we will lose a bright, young girl who has never allowed her condition to be used as an excuse for non-performance of her duties as a scholar. A special award was presented to her by her school for her ability to inspire her fellow schoolmates. Although very sickly, she passed her Grade 12 exams with distinctions in Math and Geography. The sad thing is that with all her dedication, Helen’s health without the transplant, will not allow her to study further, to work, and achieve the future she envisions for herself.
The greatest blessing of all is that Helen is an ideal candidate for a lung transplant which will give her a whole new lease on life and she will then be able to fill her role in the world. A million pieces of silver – a rand, a dollar, a pound, is all that stands between Helen and her future.

Estimated costs by the transplant team in Johannesburg;-

Lung Transplant approx R 900,000.00

Helen will have to stay in Johannesburg (along with her Mom, Bridget) for about 6 months. Board and lodging @ about R 3,000.00 pm = R18000.00.

Helen will also have to have regular checkups by the specialist (cost currently unknown) at a guess R 650.00 per checkup = R 3,900.00

The Writing Stick Project

Turning Points’ “trademark” project provides writing materials to pre-schools in very poor communities in the hope that this will create a strong foundation for future learning. For more information visit www.writingstickproject.org.za

A Turning Points Initiative. Charity Reg. No 031-730-NPO