Reece Trumpelmann has a rare cancer called Gorlin Goltz Syndrome, it affects his jaw, nasal & palate so his mom is crowdfunding to get a 3D printed jaw.
Benoni, South Africa – Two years ago, Reece was diagnosed with Gorlin Goltz Syndrome and has been fighting it ever since. His mother, Marsha, said it is an aggressive and rare form of cancer virtually unknown in South Africa and affecting only 3 individuals in the country.
Reece met with multiple specialists until he was properly diagnosed.
“Reece was a happy little ray of sunshine with the world at his feet when a bump to his jaw turned our lives upside down. What we thought was a cracked jaw ended up being every parent’s nightmare.
I will never forget that day, sitting at Steve Biko Hospital, after a number of specialists ran every conceivable test to determine what was wrong with our little man. The fear I felt that day has never left me.
Gorlin Goltz affects multi organs and needed a multidisciplinary approach. After many months and hugely expensive genetic tests, our family was met with obstacles around every corner. Specialists discovered that Reece has the PTCH1 and Sonic Hedgehog Pathway (SAFU) Genes Present, ruling out gene therapy for a possible solution to this devastating burden.”
A plan was hatched to remove all the found tumours in Reece’s body. The specialists had to act fast and removed all traceable tumours.
“To our dismay, Reece’s tumours proved tenacious and kept reappearing despite been removed a total of 6 times. In the last 3 months, a total of 5 new tumours have appeared.”
The appearance of multiple tumours on his jaw, sinus, palate and the bone below his left eye left the family shell-shocked. Reece had to have 16 of his adult teeth removed and now the jaw bone is disintegrating.
The only way forward it to use innovative 3D printing to replace the jaw bone. 3D printing to replace bones is fairly new in the medical field. We have covered a number of stories where 3D printing has been used as a way to help with medical conditions so there is hope.
“It’s been a very intense few days while plans are being made, and some of the top maxillofacial- facial surgeons have been contacted, including 3D Printing Specialist. We are waiting for their replies and hope to have a consultation as soon as possible.
We are needing to crowdfund a total of R15 000 for Reece’s medication after his new jaw is built. This amount includes his consultation, Transport, food and the medications he will need to undergo the procedure.
As mother, you want to be able to give your child everything he needs. Sometimes, you need help from others to be able to do this. I would like to thank everyone who has stood by our side as we have faced the most challenging time in our lives.
Thank you for the messages of support and encouragement. Thank you for your humble donations that have gotten Reece this far and thank you for helping us share Reece’s story. R16 256.66 of the funds raised on BackaBuddy have already contributed to towards Reece’s medical treatment.”
The funds raised through the BackaBuddy crowdfund will be paid directly to the medical professionals treating Reece. If you would like to help Reece get a new jaw, you can contribute here.
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