Netcare 911 celebrates an incredible Bone Marrow donor: a true Superhero saving his brother’s life!
South Africa (18 July 2023) – In the world of heroes, where hope shines the brightest, a young boy named Exzevia stands tall, dreaming of a future as a paramedic. But this courageous eight-year-old is facing a battle far greater than most. Diagnosed with leukaemia, he fights each day with unwavering determination. And by his side is his younger brother, Guidance, aged six, who is about to become a true superhero.
Recently, Netcare 911, the renowned emergency medical services provider, joined forces with The Reach For A Dream Foundation, a remarkable non-profit organization granting the dreams of children facing life-threatening illnesses.
Together, they crafted a moment that will forever be etched in the hearts of Exzevia, Guidance, and their mother, Susan Sibanda.
Imagine the sheer joy that swept through the boys’ souls when they were surprised with an extraordinary opportunity. Honorary members of the Netcare 911 flight crew for a day! The anticipation filled the air as the ambulance arrived at their Philippi home, an adventure already unfolding. But little did they know what awaited them, as a member of the Netcare 911 crew announced an unexpected destination—the airport. A once-in-a-lifetime journey was about to take flight.
Susan Sibanda, the boys’ remarkable mother, recalls the sheer delight in her children’s eyes.
“We really enjoyed it. When the ambulance came to pick us up from home, it was already exciting for the boys, and it really came as a surprise when one of the Netcare 911 crew announced we were going to the airport. We had no idea what was coming.”
Among the dedicated team present that day was Erna Serfontein, an emergency care technician with Netcare 911. Witnessing Exzevia and Guidance’s exuberance, she was moved beyond words.
“Their faces when we picked them up, and the way their eyes lit up just having a ride in the ambulance was so touching.”
The adventure continued as the family embarked on a tour of the Western Cape Netcare 911 HEMS base, an experience that left them astounded. But what followed was the pinnacle of their awe-inspiring journey—a helicopter ride, soaring high above the breathtaking landscapes of Cape Town.
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At first, trepidation coursed through the boys’ veins, but their fear was soon eclipsed by unbridled exhilaration.
“It was such an exciting experience, and we enjoyed it so much. Thank you to Reach For A Dream and Netcare 911—we will remember this special day for a long time,” Susan Sibanda expressed with gratitude.
Heidi Rowley, the Western Cape Branch Manager at Reach For A Dream, shared her belief in the transformative power of dreams.
“We believe in the power of dreams and their ability to inspire hope even in the most challenging circumstances. When we learned about Exzevia’s dream of becoming a paramedic, we knew we had to make it come true. Thanks to the passionate team at Netcare 911, we could create this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The Sibanda family’s journey has been marked by tremendous strength and resilience, as Exzevia valiantly undergoes regular treatment for his condition. Yet, amidst the storm, there shines a beacon of hope—Guidance, his superhero of a brother. As it turns out, Guidance is a matching bone marrow donor, offering his sibling the gift of life.
“It was a privilege to help make this dream come true for Exzevia, and to include the gift of love and the hope Guidance is giving his older brother. He is the embodiment of a superhero,” remarked Serfontein, acknowledging the profound impact of this act of selflessness.
But the story doesn’t end there. Exzevia held another dream close to his heart—a dream of owning a laptop. And the incredible staff at Netcare 911 rallied together to transform this dream into a tangible reality.
Dayne Olsen, the Netcare 911 Western Cape HEMS manager, shared the heartwarming news, saying, “When the family got back to the base, we were delighted to present this brave boy with a laptop, as well as a Netcare 911 teddy bear and accessories for both brothers to always remember the experience.”
As the curtains draw close on this extraordinary chapter, Netcare 911 extends their heartfelt wishes to Exzevia—a journey of healing lies ahead, buoyed by the unwavering support of his loving family. They are grateful to Reach For A Dream for providing the opportunity to help make this dream come true.
Olsen concludes, his voice filled with gratitude, “On behalf of all of us at Netcare 911, we wish Exzevia a journey of healing and are most thankful to Reach For A Dream for the opportunity to assist in making his dream come true.”
In a world where dreams intertwine with resilience, where love shines brighter than any adversity, Exzevia and Guidance stand as beacons of hope. Their bond, forged through extraordinary circumstances, serves as a reminder of the incredible power of humanity. Netcare 911 and The Reach For A Dream Foundation have given these young heroes a moment to cherish forever—a testament to the good things that can happen when we come together to make dreams come true.
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