Crowdfunding has changed countless lives in South Africa, offering hope where it’s needed most. Now, a new platform – PledgePal – is stepping up to make an even bigger impact, starting with Jada, a young girl fighting a rare disease.
Johannesburg, South Africa (10 March 2025) – For the past decade, crowdfunding has played a vital role in helping South Africans in need. From medical emergencies to community upliftment, platforms like BackaBuddy, Quicket, GivenGain and Thundafund have provided a lifeline for those who needed support the most. Good Things Guy has been at the forefront of amplifying these campaigns, sharing stories of resilience and hope.
Now, there’s a new name in the crowdfunding space – PledgePal – and we’re all for it. Because when it comes to giving, it’s never about competition; it’s about making sure help reaches those who need it most.
One of the first campaigns on PledgePal is for Jada, a young South African diagnosed with *Vanishing White Matter Disease – a condition so rare that only 300 people worldwide are known to have it. For 13 years, her family has faced the unimaginable, searching for a solution that didn’t seem to exist.
Until now.
The Jada Foundation recently shared an incredible update:
“Finally, we can share our incredible news—news of joy, hope, and a future filled with possibilities!
Almost 13 years ago, our world changed forever when we first heard the words Vanishing White Matter Disease. It was a diagnosis that filled our hearts with uncertainty and fear.
But today, I get to share news that changes our lives once again—this time, for the better!
With all the hope in my heart, I am beyond grateful to announce that Jada has been accepted into a clinical trial for a groundbreaking treatment that has already shown incredible results.
I still have to pinch myself—it doesn’t feel real that a treatment exists, let alone that my sweet girl will be receiving it.
On either March 12 or March 19, we will be boarding a plane to change Jada’s life.
We are giving her the chance at the life she deserves. My heart is still in shock—it doesn’t feel real yet. But maybe, once a few more pieces fall into place, I won’t need to pinch myself anymore. Because we will be on that plane, getting my baby the treatment she needs to live the beautiful life I have always promised her.”
To make this journey possible, PledgePal has helped raise over R27,000 towards the R150,000 goal… and they’re just getting started.
PledgePal, a registered non-profit crowdfunding platform, has officially launched last week, with a mission to connect people in need (Pals) with compassionate donors (Pledgers).
“We believe generosity can create lasting change,” says Stephen Castle, Co-Founder and Director of PledgePal.
“Our mission is to make fundraising easy, trustworthy, and impactful for both donors and beneficiaries.”
Kindness has the power to create real change and platforms like PledgePal are making it easier for South Africans to help one another. More crowdfunding options mean more opportunities, more generosity, and most importantly, more lives uplifted.
Jada’s story is just the start.
Visit www.pledgepal.co.za to start a campaign, make a pledge or support a cause that matters. Because every act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a difference.
*Vanishing white matter (VWM) is also known as leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter disease, childhood ataxia with central nervous system hypomyelination (CACH), and myelinopathia centralis diffusa. VWM disease is a chronic and progressive white matter disorder (leukodystrophy) characterized by a variable phenotype, typically with prominent ataxia and spasticity in the classic form. VWM is often exacerbated by infection, head trauma, or other stresses.
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