YOUNG Martin Pokbaas has a champion, one that is determined to help give him a chance of seeing again.
The 12-year-old, who lives in a shack with his parents in Daleview, a township on the outskirts of Despatch, was born with vision impairment that over time escalated to a 95% vision loss.
Now, the Klinicare Foundation is assisting him with a Pay It Forward campaign to raise the R30 000 required to change and improve Martin’s quality of life.
According to Nadia Serfontein of Klinicare Despatch Pharmacy, an iridectomy will be done at St George’s Hospital.
“It is the surgical removal of a part of the iris so that he can regain his sight,” she said.
This initiative has been made possible by Dr Stephanus Francois du Toit, Dr Theunis Cornelius Botha, Life St George’s Hospital and the Klinicare Foundation.
“Nico Eyre, a manager at Klinicare and one of the founding members of the Klinicare Foundation, has known for quite a while of Martin’s condition and seen the coping mechanisms he has used to deal with his condition,” Serfontein said.
“He (Eyre) has felt a great need to help Martin and improve his quality of life. Martin is a very intelligent boy and with this surgery his life will change immensely,” she added.
To lend this local lad a helping hand, make a contribution to:
ABSA Bank
Account number: 4055536921
Branch code: 632005
Reference: MARTIN
Every cent donated will be used to help Martin.
For more info contact Nadia at 072 248 8701 or nadia@klinicare.co.za or Nico at 083 388 6420 or nico@klinicare.co.za.
