Ashleigh Botha, was diagnosed with Fibro Muscular Dysplasia, after becoming ill at the age of 12.
FMD is a rare disease for which there is no cure or prevention to stop it spreading through her arteries. South African doctors do not have the experience or knowledge to treat this disease and if it is not managed correctly, there can be major complications. Ashleigh’s doctors have told us to take her to America for treatment.
In addition to Ashleigh’s FMD she also suffers from Spondylolithosis of the spine, which caused her spine to become unstable at the base and to curve by 39 degrees.
During 2009 Ashleigh travelled to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, USA for an aorta/renal artery bypass.
The Botha family is now desperately trying to raise money for Ashleigh to return to USA for major surgery to bypass diseased arteries. Intimal Fibromuscular Dysplasia is a very rare disease of the arteries which is a very aggressive and progressive form of FMD which causes her arteries to grow closed on the inside with a long smooth narrowing, and if not treated, close. This limits blood flow to her major organs, causing loss of function and other complications.
Local Port Elizabeth photographer, Bev Darlow, with the blessing of Ashleihgh’s parents, Colin and Colleen Botha, is appealing to the public for support and donations to the Ashleigh Botha Recovery Fund when Bev runs in the upcoming Heartbreak 21km race on 11 June.
Bev will be accompanied by fellow runners in support of her initiative who wil be identified by the ‘Help Heal Ashleigh’ logo on their T-Shirts.
These runners are asking you to consider sponsoring them with R100.00 a kilometre.
Of course smaller amounts or lump sum donations are also welcomed.
Should you need more information contact: Colin Botha on 082 821 9385 or Colleen Botha on 082 570 3183.
The account details for donations are:
- Account Name: Ashleigh Botha Recovery Account
- Account Number: 08 500 5436
- Bank: Standard Bank
- Branch: Port Elizabeth Branch
- Branch Code: 05 00 17
Alan Straton
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