Johannesburg – At least R940 000 has been crowd-funded by members of the public for the popular Dr Sindi van Zyl, who is fighting for her life in ICU due to Covid-19.
On Friday, the van Zyl family appealed for help through a crowdfunding initiative as the medical bills due to Van Zyl’s lengthy hospital stay rack up.
As of 1pm on Saturday, they have raised 47% of their R2m target on the crowdfunding platform, while brands and companies closely associated with the doctor have also made pledges.
Among the companies to pledge to assist with Van Zyl’s medical bills are Woolworths – R100 000, 1Life Insurance – R100 000, Ndash Food Popup – R10 000, DSTV – undisclosed, Kaya FM – undisclosed, La Creuset – undisclosed and Ford – undisclosed.
Businessman Gayton MacKenzie also pledged R50 000 on Saturday morning, while a gqom musician offered to perform without charge at a fund-raising event.
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
Our thoughts and love are with @sindivanzyl we will be making a donation tomorrow to the #GiftSindiLife fund.
Dr Sindi is a good #FriendOfFord, her commitment to caring for others and always going over and above for those in need has been admirable. It is with this in mind that we pledge a donation to #GiftSindiLife and wish her a speedy recovery. 💙💙💙 https://t.co/MHLexuojC3
— Ford South Africa (@FordSouthAfrica) April 2, 2021
Dr Sindi is part of our Woolies family and we want nothing more than to see her back to full health.
— Woolworths SA (@WOOLWORTHS_SA) April 2, 2021
We will donate R100k towards #GiftSindiLife and wish her a speedy recovery ❤️ https://t.co/Mw7pFWbAcZ
We at 1Life, loved working with Dr Sindi on our Truth about Money CSI programme and wish her a speedy recovery. We’ll donate R100k to #GiftSindiLife #changinglives https://t.co/OHaWBNE0Tz
— 1Life Insurance (@1life_insurance) April 2, 2021
We’ve pledged and Donated R10k ❤️
Dr Sindi @sindivanzyl is part of our family , She has a good heart , a Big heart and very kind . We wish her a speedy recovery and hope to serve her a good plate of Amanqina soon .
Please help where u can 🙏 #GiftSindiLife #Ubuntu #helpinghand https://t.co/LCzN1oK0pk
Van Zyl’s husband, Marinus, writing on the Quicket crowdfunding platform, said the medical costs after six weeks hospitalisation were already in excess of R1m.
“Dr Sindi cannot breathe on her own yet, and the cost of needing to be on the ventilator alone is around R150 000 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.
“Sindi has dedicated her life to helping many people. She knew from the age of 4 that she always wanted to help people as a medical doctor. Now she needs your help,” wrote the husband.
He said they had already paid over R1.5m in medical costs and they anticipated ongoing weekly costs of between R150-200 000 per week, while she was in ICU.
Meanwhile, Saturday was also the popular doctor’s birthday.
Many took to social media to wish Van Zyl a speedy recovery, while others shared stories about how she had been helpful to them in their time of need.
A happy birthday to Doc @sindivanzyl
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) April 3, 2021
Wishing you a speedy recovery & good health. #GiftSindiLife pic.twitter.com/Aki5ZwvCYI
Today is @sindivanzyl’s birthday. May the outpouring of love and the kindness towards her strengthen her. We celebrate and thank God for her life as we stand in faith with her family for her healing. Happy birthday Champopo girl, you’re loved! ❤️🎉🥂🍾🙏🏾 #GiftSindiLife
— Rami Chuene🌈🏳️🌈 (@ramichuene) April 3, 2021
Sindz,
When you got sick 6wks ago I didn’t think you’d spend your Bday in hospital.
On this day, may the love you give to others come back to you 2 million fold & #GiftSindiLife & Strength to persevere through this hurdle.✨💖
I love you friend ❣️#BirthdayBlessings🥳🎂🎈🥂🎈 pic.twitter.com/OgD4m0xA2k
Meditations and prayers for you on your birthday Doc @sindivanzyl 🙏🏽 we ask for abundant blessings, complete recovery in the battle for health, and comfort for your family, especially for Nandi and Manie, today. We love you and await your return to these streets♥️#GiftSindiLife pic.twitter.com/3DfyCbiBVb
— Nadia Goetham (@NGoetham) April 3, 2021
Happy Birthday @sindivanzyl🌸💕🌸
— Tshifhiwa (@Ms_Fanta70) April 3, 2021
🎉🥂🎈
Get well soon hle🙏🏾 Love and miss you so much💕#DrSindiTurns45 #GiftSindiLife pic.twitter.com/hawyKf8AWl
Happy birthday my friend @sindivanzyl 🥳. Love, strength and light❤️.
We miss and love you❤️. #DrSindiTurns45 #GiftSindiLife pic.twitter.com/eeWOFTmG1O
Happy Birthday to the most selfless and loving human ever. We love you @sindivanzyl and we wish you a speedy recovery. Sending you and your family all the love. #GiftSindiLife pic.twitter.com/ErbNydfD7X
— Mohale Motaung (@mohale_motaung) April 3, 2021
We were actually supposed to have a birthday drive for a week with Sindz this coming week. Anyway, we're not always in control of what happens to us.
— Dr Naks ♥️ (@Tshi_Nakanyane) April 2, 2021
Happy birthday Sindz, always in my heart and mind daily. Love you always#DrSindiTurns45 #GiftSindiLife pic.twitter.com/gmwC6ZoxhZ
Happy Birthday @sindivanzyl
We are praying for your recovery.#GiftSindiLife pic.twitter.com/W9oC3Q4AOi
Dr Sindi is a good example of : Your deeds follow you ❤️ When you have a good heart, and pure intentions. The world and the people around you notice. Dr Sindi and her family are in my prayers, may the Lord keep her and restore her health ❤️❤️❤️ #GiftSindiLife
— Etta Vorster ✨ 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ Harvest time 🌾🌻💫 (@QueennNefertiti) April 2, 2021
IOL