Help for Hanru - FUNDRAISER

I shan't preempt this blog post with a soppy story. I'll cut straight to the point. 

I NEED YOUR MONEY!

Hanru is a very special boy who was born on 6 November 2019. He was born at 32 weeks, which is 8 weeks too early, and weighed only 1.6kg. Hanru's mom and dad were happy to welcome their little bundle into life a few weeks earlier. Mom was happy to hear his first little cry and couldn't wait to hold her new bundle of joy. When she saw him for the first time, she wanted to know what was wrong with her baby. Little Hanru was born with a cleft lip and pallet. Not a single scan showed this and Hanru's parents were very worried about the way forward, not only is he their first born, but now he also has a cleft lip and pallet, which I think is worrying for any parent. 

Hanru spent his first 35 days on earth in the NICU and he had to learn to drink with a special bottle. On 9 December 2019, Hanru was finally strong enough to go home. Knowing that Hanru will need the best medical attention, his parents took him to specialists at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital. The doctors and professors advised them that Hanru will have to weigh at least 5kg before they can perform any operation. Of course this would be a challenge, but his parents were determined. 

Just as Hanru was getting stronger and gaining weight, the COVID-19 pandemic hit South Africa, and of course the rest of the world. This would set Hanru's parent's hope for an operation further back. As the country entered a lockdown and only essential services could operate and all hospitals were being prepared for the worst, both Hanru's parents were retrenched and had to raise an infant with a significant challenge whilst trying to overcome a pandemic, find a job and make ends meat to pay for the operations that lay ahead. You can just imagine what a challenge this is...

With strict COVID protocols in place and just enough money to make the drive to and from the hospital, Hanru successfully underwent his first operation in October 2020. The recovery was challenging, as he could not eat any solids for 3 weeks, and he could only have liquids, all whilst being in extreme pain that he could not even understand. Hanru's lip and part of his pallet was repaired in the first operation. 

On the road to smile, Hanru successfully underwent his second operation in February of 2021. During this operation the soft pallet has been repaired. There is a lengthy recovery period between each operation and Hanru is now ready for his third operation. 

Hanru's third operation will take place on the 14th of February 2022, yes, he is being blessed with this operation on Valentine's Day. This is a high risk operation and will still take place under very strict COVID protocols. Only Hanru's mother is allowed in the hospital and dad will be staying in a B&B close to the hospital. They needs funds to cover the stay and all the medication and treatment he requires after the op. They also need funds for the drive to and from checkups after the op has taken place.

This is where you and I come in... I have decided to host a little fundraiser for Hanru and here are the details: 

• Whenever you buy a Valentine's make from hooked on AARD, the full proceeds will go to Help for Hanru.
• The participating products are as follows: 
  • Donut keychains with 'punny' Valentine's card. 
  • Mini whale plushy with 'punny' Valentine's card. 
  • Itty Bitty Valentine's Kitty plushy with 'punny' Valnetine's card. 
  • Valentine's Voodoo Dolls with 'punny' Valentine's card.
• If you'd like to support Help for Hanru without buying something from hooked on AARD, you are welcome to make a direct donation - there is a fund set up specifically for Hanru: 

• Capitec Savings
  R van der Merwe
  Acc: 1433015364
  Ref: Hanru Cleft

I look forward to making a little boy smile with your help! 

For more details and other ways to get involved kindly visit the Help for Hanru Facebook page and hooked on AARD's Instagram page. 

Ts&Cs apply 

The fundraiser will run until the 13th of February, with a giveaway prize up for grabs!! 

xx 

Adel