Good Morning Angels Extra (Bouwer-family)

Supporting the Bouwer-family in their fight to save their two boys from a life threatening genetic disease: ALD

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

We met the Bouwer-family from Wonderboom in Pretoria in June 2011. They are just a normal family: Dad Gerhard, Mom Karin, daughter, Grete-Ann, and two sons Niel and Gerhard jr. They went on their December holiday at the end of 2010 - the end of Niel's first year of big school - the end of Grade 1. During the holidays, mom and dad noticed that Neil started struggling to play the way he used to ... kick a ball, ride a bicycle. He had done very well at school, even stood on stage in front of school to do orators, but there were some issues: Neil had attention problems and some anxiety at times, when he didn't want to go to school. His parents consulted with the relevant professionals, but it was manageable. When they returned from holiday, Neil's parents took him to a specialist - on 7 January they got shocking news: these were all symptoms of an extremely rare genetic disease, Adreno-leuko-dystrophy (ALD), which caused Niel's brain function to degenerate.

 

After many consultations and research, it was determined that a bone marrow transplant was the only way to fight the disease and the damage it was causing. Niels' sister and brother were tested as donors - Grete-Ann was a perfect match, although it was discovered that she was a carrier of the disease. (Girls carry the disease, but only boys are affected).

 

Niel had a fighting chance and the transplant was done on 2 March. However, the tests for a donor revealed another shock for the family. Little Gerhard, who is two years younger, also has the disease. No local bone marrow donors matched Gerhard jr. and two were found overseas. Gerhard received his transplant. The family has been on a challenging road - emotionally, physically and financially. A special golf day will be held for the brothers on Friday, 19 April 2013 at the Akasia Golf Club in Pretoria North. Proceeds will go towards the "NEIL AND GERHARD BOUWER ALD TRUST"

 

 

 

 

You can contribute to the Neil and Gerhard Bouwer ALD Trust:

 

Bank Name: Nedbank Limited

Branch Name/Code: Centurion/16214540

Account Type: Current Account Number 1005428344

Account Name: Niel and Gerhard Bouwer ALD Trust