Delft teen appeals for help while awaiting stem cell treatment

BRAVE: Delft teen Shaydin Marks is appealing for support as he awaits a bone marrow transplant.

Image: Facebook/Kids-Can Cancer Foundation

A Delft mother is appealing for help to save ger 14-year-old son, who is battling a rare, life-threatening blood disorder, while the family struggles to afford transport to Tygerberg Hospital for his treatment.

Shaydin Leigh Andrew Marks, a Rosendaal High School learner, who dreams of becoming a boxer, needs a bone marrow donor after being diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia in July. His illness has forced him out of the classroom and away from the chessboard, while his family faces mounting financial difficulties.

The rare condition prevents his bone marrow from producing enough healthy blood cells, leaving him vulnerable to infections, fatigue and bleeding.

His mother, Shannon Marks, first became concerned in April when his eyes, skin and urine turned yellow.

Shaydin was admitted to Eerste River Hospital on 20 April with suspected liver complications. Two weeks later, he was transferred to Tygerberg Hospital, where doctors diagnosed autoimmune hepatitis.

After he was discharged, his family’s relief was short-lived. He developed severe headaches, exhaustion and difficulty walking. A bone marrow biopsy led to the diagnosis of aplastic anaemia.

FIGHTER: Shaydin Marks, a former junior chess team captain from Delft, is battling severe aplastic anaemia

Image: Facebook/Kids-Can Cancer Foundation

Kids-Can Cancer Foundation founder Kaashief Lakay said Shaydin’s condition is not cancer, but the foundation had made an exception to assist the family.

“A successful bone marrow transplant could potentially offer him a chance at long-term recovery,” Lakay said, adding that this would depend on his medical team’s assessment and the availability of a donor.

Shannon said Shaydin, who used to be captain of his school’s youth chess team, began immune suppression treatment the previous week.

“He is fine for now. Just very angry most of the time because he can’t do normal stuff boys his age do,” she said.

Because of his weakened immune system, Shaydin can no longer attend school as usual. He receives lessons at the hospital when his treatment schedule allows.

The family is also struggling financially. Shannon, who is raising Shaydin and his eight-year-old brother, Leighagon, said nobody in the household is currently working.

Lakay said the family had already missed an appointment because they could not afford taxi fare to travel from Delft to Tygerberg Hospital.

Shaydin said his illness had taken away many of the ordinary activities he once enjoyed.

“I can’t even go for a swim at the community pools when it’s hot,” he said.

He also said his mother could not afford to buy him a phone to keep in touch with his friends. Shannon said not having one made the long hours spent receiving transfusions even harder.

“My mom has to struggle to get me to hospital when I’m having a fever or cough,” Shaydin said.

He appealed to the public to support the family.

“Please, have a heart and donate anything, even a R10 if you can afford it.

Funds raised through the foundation's BackaBuddy campaign will go towards transport, groceries and basic household necessities.

Donations can be made through the Kids-Can Cancer Foundation website at www.kidscan.org.za.