Scott Arendse spent two years raising funds for a friend to get a kidney transplant and now, months after the operation, they celebrate World Kidney Day together.
Cape Town, South Africa – The 14th of March 2019 is World Kidney Day and to celebrate it we would like to share an update about Scott Arendse and Obey Togarepi. Their friendship started after they met in 2016 and Scott learned of Obey’s need for a kidney transplant.
Obey is a Zimbabwean living and working in South Africa.
He experienced an awful realisation when he was diagnosed with kidney failure and the hospital he was at, told him to go home and spend time with his family. The hospital refused to give him life-saving treatment even though he had a legal work permit.
Obey couldn’t give up, so he and his wife used most of their monthly salary to have dialysis twice a week and while his health was improving thanks to the treatment his total dialysis bill hit over 100K quickly!
This was when Scott Arendse stepped in to help make a difference.
Scott started campaigning to raise funds for them to cover the debt they owed. He played tennis for 12-hours in 2016 and 2017 and gave the family the money he raised. They joined private medical insurance, and after the one year exclusion period, Obey was able to receive medical aid funded dialysis, meaning the family finally had a financial break they desperately needed.
Good news came in November last year when Scott emailed us to let us know that Obey finally got a kidney transplant. His sister was a match and gladly donated her kidney to her brother. Obey received the initial call on Tuesday 23rd October to inform him that the transplant would take place on the 30th of October. The operation was delayed for further blood testing, and then, once all was clear, the transplant took place on 13 November.
Now, all these years later… the pair who were once friends are far more like family. They got together today to celebrate World Kidney Day.
“With today being World Kidney Day, I would like to send a special message to my brother Obey Togarepi and his sister(donor) Beaulla Togarepi. You guys are amazing and I want to thank you for letting me be a part of this amazing journey.
Since the transplant in November, both Obey and Beaulla are doing soooo well. A special thanks to all involved, from Dr Trevor Gerntholtz and the amazing staff at Rondebosch Medical Centre and Renal Unit, doctors and staff at Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital.
To all friends and family who have supported Obey during this journey with your kindness and generosity … THANK YOU!!!
Remember that EVERYONE can change one person’s life.” – Scott Arendse
We are delighted to hear that Obey is doing so well after his transplant. Scott is right; it takes just one person to change a life.
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