Mom organ donor match for son

FOR single mother Sharon Phelan, the weight of escalating medical bills and the emotional trauma of having a son with kidney disease has motivated her to ensure he lives a better life.

Despite there being only a 50/50 chance, she will be donating her kidney to her son, Shaun, 23.

Originally from Kwadukuza, the electrical apprentice living in Gauteng undergoes dialysis three times a week for up to six hours.

Despite treatment being taxing on his body, he continues to work hard towards his career and hopes for a healthier future.

He is hopeful that the operation scheduled for June 23 at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital will change his life and allow him to one day start his own family.

“I am working as an apprentice, but instead of working five days I can only work three days. My salary gets drastically affected because I must go for dialysis. Work keeps me going and mostly my faith has been encouraged through what I’m experiencing. I believe in God’s will, so I will stay positive.

“I was very concerned, but my mum being a donor match has given me great hope.

“Once I have the transplant and recover, I’ll be able to make plans for the future and not be subjected to dialysis. It is costly, though, and I had to put my studies on hold to go for the transplant and pay for my treatment as medical aid does not cover all the costs,” he said.

In January 2020, his father, Shaun Phelan, was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. He died a year later at the age of 55.

Dealing with the loss of her husband and an ill son who faced equally difficult obstacles, Sharon said she was relieved at being a match.

“My husband had diabetes and then we found out he had kidney failure. When I found out my son was sick it was a major shock. I am relieved that I am a match for his transplant. I have launched a crowdfunding campaign on Backabuddy to help cover the donor costs not covered by Shaun’s medical aid, as well his transport and living expenses before and after the life-saving transplant,” she said.

Since the launch of the campaign, more than R64 000 has been raised with contributions from 43 donors.

“The kind donations and words of support we have received as a family have been our lifeboat. We have faced many hardships in the last two years, most recently having to evacuate our home due to the floods in Durban, but we have hope and faith that with Shaun’s transplant, our life will begin to change,” said Sharon.