South African stars and social media users are speaking out in a bid to raise funds for medical doctor and media personality Sindisiwe van Zyl, who is currently fighting for her life in hospital
Dr Sindi, as she is affectionately known to her social media followers, has been hospitalised due to Covid-19 related complications, where she is currently breathing through a ventilator.
According to her family, Dr Sindi was ‘in between’ medical aids when she contracted the illness, resulting in mounting medical bills of over R1 million.
Sindi’s husband Marinus said in a statement on her website; “She was diagnosed with COVID-19 at the beginning of the year and admitted to hospital in February due to trouble breathing. Six weeks later, she is still in hospital”.
The spouse then appealed to members of the public to financially assist the family.
He continued; “The cost to the family of the hospital alone has already exceeded one million Rand, and we are running out of funds. Dr Sindi cannot breathe on her own yet, and the cost of needing to be on the ventilator alone is around a hundred and fifty thousand Rands per week. She has suffered several complications related to a long stay in ICU, and we need more funds to pay for her continued stay in hospital until her lungs can cope without the ventilator.
“We will use any funds raised to pay the hospital bills, to enable Dr Sindi the chance to survive”.
Following Marinus’s appeal, the public – including celebrities like Maps Maponyane and Black Coffee – came out in droves to show their support by donating over R1 million to pay for Dr Sindi’s medical bills
Using crowdfunding platform Quicket, social media followers and stars donated to the goal of reaching R2 million.
Even corporate companies dug deep to help; Woolworths and 1Life Insurance both donated R100 000 each, whilst DSTV, Kaya FM and others also pledged undisclosed amounts.
This incredible woman has always been nothing but kind to all, & has actively supported countless causes & small businesses including my own. You’ll rarely encounter a human with a bigger heart. Please let’s do what we can to return @sindivanzyl the love https://t.co/auxfRaQEx4 pic.twitter.com/uPEqJ0qa8n
— Mr. Buns/Buns Out/Abuti Buns/Lebunza/Breadwinner (@MapsMaponyane) April 2, 2021
Businessman Gayton Mckenzie pledged R50 000 as his contribution as a gift to the Zimbabwean-born doctor who celebrated her birthday in ICU over the weekend.
Happy bday @sindivanzyl, I love you and would donate 50 thousand rand towards your medical bill, I would also fund the sound and logistics for a prayer day for you, we wanna show you how much you are loved, it can also be a fundraiser event @dr_lovelee pic.twitter.com/Nx4cnIUoj4
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) April 3, 2021
According to friends of Dr Sindi, she requested a ‘pink unicorn cake’ to be made for her children
Thank you @TuttiRamzy for honouring our beloved doc @sindivanzyl for her 45th birthday pink unicorn cake request!! #HappyBirthdaySindi #SindisBirthdayBlessings https://t.co/B4lDUfwEiA pic.twitter.com/EZIgp5hh1e
— Dr Yummy Mummy (@dr_lovelee) April 4, 2021
To donate towards Dr Sindi’s medical bills, visit; www.quicket.co.za/fundraisers/136776-dr-sindis-hospital-bill/
