I am not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I do hope it will help boost a worthy fund-raising effort.

Some of you may know, and even have hunted with, Adriaan Olivier from Save Safaris in the Save Valley Conservancy. Specifically, Adriaan has worked for, and with Leon Du Plessis and Mike Payne for a good number of years.

Adriaan’s 7-year-old son, Ayden, was rushed to hospital some six weeks ago with suspected malaria, and treated for such. However, his recovery did not go as expected, and young Ayden developed a host of other symptoms beginning with uncontrolled (and ongoing) nose-bleeds and developing skin rashes, which have resulted in most of his skin peeling away. After several weeks of on-off treatments, he was referred to South Africa where he might better be diagnosed and treated.

Tests showed Ayden’s platelet count had dropped as low as 4000 (normal 150 000 - 400 000) and his hemoglobin dropped to 6 (normal 13.5). Ayden has had, and continues to have, blood transfusions to try correct this. Along the way, the poor little guy has had many tests including a bone marrow biopsy to check for leukemia. It has been traumatic.

Subsequent referrals to various specialists and more tests have revealed Ayden has a very rare condition known as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Syndrome, which is a life-threatening immunodeficiency. This is not cancer, though is treated similarly and he will be needing chemotherapy. However, at present he is too weak and has been moved to ICU where it seems he is on life-support. In the coming days, he faces a battery of more tests and possibly operations as specialists have detected bleeding in Ayden’s brain.

Several fund-raising and crowd-funding initiatives have been established to assist Adriaan and his wife Mindy, who for the time being have had to relocate to South Africa and attempt to secure funding for Ayden’s treatment and other basic expenses. Good support through Facebook and other social media has helped tremendously, though the road ahead looks longer than initially thought, and while Adriaan is based in South Africa, his earnings from his hunting is severely curtailed.

Ayden’s parents desperately need help with the burdens of the air evacuation, air fares for the family, shortfalls for medical expenses, traveling to and from the hospital, accommodation, food etc.

We, as the magazine, have helped set up some of the fund-raising platforms and will continue to reach far and wide to help a fellow PH, and friend, in need. If any AR members are able, please join the family as partners to help shoulder the financial burden and help raise the finances needed so that Ayden can get the specialist care he needs to overcome and beat this devastating illness.

For more information and to make a donation (every little bit helps), please follow one of the links below.

https://www.gofundme.com/ayden...-and-living-expenses

https://f4c.co.zw/campaigns/ay...al-living-expensese/


We are sincerely grateful for any assistance you may give.

Donation and prayers sent.

modest donation sent.

Good Morning Everyone

It is with sad hearts that we learned young Ayden succumbed in the early hours of this morning.

A message by Adriaan and Mindy reads "With broken hearts and many unanswered questions, that we said goodbye to our little man early this morning as he went to be with the Lord. Fly high our little Tsoko, we love you so much my boy, always and forever.

"Mindy and I thank each and everyone of you for your prayers and help in this devastating time in our lives, obviously God needed a little angel so pure of heart that he had to call our Ayden home."

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Adriaan, Mindy and family.

Thank you to everyone here for your prayers and assistance.

Anthony.

RIP Little Big Man.

Sorry to hear such sad news & condolences to the family.

sad news indeed. RIP little guy

Sad news. I can't even imagine how the parents feel.

RIP.

So very tragic. Condolences to the family and friends.

How very sad. Condolences and prayers sent.